smooth
1 of 3adjective
ˈsmüt͟h 
1
a(1)
: having a continuous even surface
(2)
of a curve : being the representation of a function with a continuous first derivative
(3)
: having or being a short even coat of hair
a smooth collie
compare rough, wirehaired b
: being without hair
c
: glabrous
a smooth leaf
d
: causing no resistance to sliding
2
: free from difficulties or impediments
the smooth course of his life
3
: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight
4
: excessively and often artfully suave : ingratiating
a smooth operator
5
a
: serene, equable
a smooth disposition
b
: amiable, courteous
6
a
: not sharp or harsh
a smooth sherry
b
: free from lumps
smooth adverb
smoothly adverb
smoothness noun
smooth
2 of 3verb
smoothed; smoothing; smooths also smoothes
transitive verb
1
: to make smooth
2
a
: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish
smoothed out his style
b
: soothe
3
: to minimize (something, such as a fault) especially in order to allay anger or ill will
his main job is to smooth over the friction that so often arises
Brian Crozier
Brian Crozier4
: to free from obstruction or difficulty
conciliation smoothed the way to an agreement
5
a
: to press flat
smoothed down the folds of her dress
b
: to remove expression from (one's face) : compose
6
: to cause to lie evenly and in order : preen
a bird smoothing its feathers
7
: to free (a graph, a collection of data, etc.) from irregularities
intransitive verb
: to become smooth
smoother noun
smooth
3 of 3noun
1
: a smooth part
2
: the act of smoothing
3
: a smoothing implement
Synonyms
Adjective
- debonair
- sophisticated
- suave
- svelte
- urbane
Verb
- ease
- facilitate
- grease
- loosen (up)
- unclog
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective They groomed the ski trail so it was smooth. The river rocks had been worn smooth by the water. Whisk the flour into the gravy until it is smooth. The milkshake was smooth and creamy. With the aid of observers, the election process was a smooth one. Our trip was smooth and uneventful. the smooth movements of a swimmer She has a nice, smooth golf swing. His new car has a smooth ride. Our flight was very smooth. Verb He smoothed his tie and headed out the door. The coin's date had been smoothed away over time. Smooth the cream on after your shower. Smooth the wax over the wood before polishing. She smoothed on some moisturizer before she put on her makeup. He smoothed ointment over the cut. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Chris Smith, BGR, 19 Sep. 2022 These sheets are designed with a mix of cotton and polyester to make for smooth and soft bedding. Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 19 Sep. 2022 Honda stiffened the chassis and reinforced the front and rear suspension, the result being a very smooth ride and steering that's light and accurate. Nick Kurczewski, Car and Driver, 19 Sep. 2022 Infused with a cocktail of shea butter and both jojoba and marula oil, the pigment goes on with smooth precision. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2022 But their course does not run smooth, with the pair facing numerous setbacks, especially in their relationship. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 18 Sep. 2022 Resources that should be devoted to ensuring the smooth execution of November’s balloting are instead being diverted to respond to malicious mischief. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 When Getsy returned to Green Bay to be quarterbacks coach after a one-year stint at Mississippi State to work for Moorhead, the first season under LaFleur in 2019 wasn’t entirely smooth. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 While Florida had a relatively smooth 2020 election, Republicans said changes were needed to help ensure future elections would not have issues such as fraud. Dara Kam, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 But despite some obvious growing pains, experts believe things will smooth out. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Some countries are trying to smooth out the red tape for digital nomads. Lucy Papachristou, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 So the financial transfers between rich and poor areas, which smooth out economic ups and downs, are more limited. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 Instead, the meeting resulted in continuing to smooth out differences over the legislative break. Marianna Sotomayor And Leigh Ann Caldwell, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 Slather on this sugar scrub once per week to smooth out any rough spots from head to toe. SELF, 19 July 2022 The combo of vitamin C and glycolic acid also helps fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and smooth out your skin's texture. ELLE, 13 July 2022 Some of the best anti-frizz hair products use argan oil as a star ingredient to smooth out flyaways and baby hairs. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 24 June 2022 Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 22 Mar. 2022 Testers unanimously rated the fabric smooth, yet not too slippery. Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2022 First introduced 22 years ago in 1999, the mouthwatering pastry features a creamy smooth, vanilla custard nestled in a flaky, buttery crust glazed with sugar and topped with rainbow sprinkles. PEOPLE.com, 1 Dec. 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA's best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration. Greg Beacham, Star Tribune, 4 June 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA’s best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration. Greg Beacham, orlandosentinel.com, 4 June 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA’s best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration. Greg Beacham, ajc, 4 June 2021 Once the glue is dry, remove the clamp and sand the joint smooth. Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2021 Its boldness will carry you into spring, with a smooth with gentle tannins. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021 See More
Adjective
Apple has probably sold millions of units in less than two weeks, but the launch hasn’t been exactly smooth. Chris Smith, BGR, 19 Sep. 2022 These sheets are designed with a mix of cotton and polyester to make for smooth and soft bedding. Daisy Maldonado, SELF, 19 Sep. 2022 Honda stiffened the chassis and reinforced the front and rear suspension, the result being a very smooth ride and steering that's light and accurate. Nick Kurczewski, Car and Driver, 19 Sep. 2022 Infused with a cocktail of shea butter and both jojoba and marula oil, the pigment goes on with smooth precision. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2022 But their course does not run smooth, with the pair facing numerous setbacks, especially in their relationship. Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 18 Sep. 2022 Resources that should be devoted to ensuring the smooth execution of November’s balloting are instead being diverted to respond to malicious mischief. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 When Getsy returned to Green Bay to be quarterbacks coach after a one-year stint at Mississippi State to work for Moorhead, the first season under LaFleur in 2019 wasn’t entirely smooth. Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 While Florida had a relatively smooth 2020 election, Republicans said changes were needed to help ensure future elections would not have issues such as fraud. Dara Kam, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Verb
There is always another prestige booking to jet off to or a class to teach at Juilliard, and a faithful assistant, Francesca (Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Noémie Merlant), to smooth out the details and keep the riffraff away. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 5 Sep. 2022 But despite some obvious growing pains, experts believe things will smooth out. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 Some countries are trying to smooth out the red tape for digital nomads. Lucy Papachristou, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022 So the financial transfers between rich and poor areas, which smooth out economic ups and downs, are more limited. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 Instead, the meeting resulted in continuing to smooth out differences over the legislative break. Marianna Sotomayor And Leigh Ann Caldwell, Anchorage Daily News, 28 July 2022 Slather on this sugar scrub once per week to smooth out any rough spots from head to toe. SELF, 19 July 2022 The combo of vitamin C and glycolic acid also helps fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and smooth out your skin's texture. ELLE, 13 July 2022 Some of the best anti-frizz hair products use argan oil as a star ingredient to smooth out flyaways and baby hairs. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 24 June 2022 Noun
There are two adaptive-damping modes, but the default setting is ideal for both track and mountain-road use, especially if the asphalt is anything less than billiard-table smooth. Dan Edmunds, Car and Driver, 22 Mar. 2022 Testers unanimously rated the fabric smooth, yet not too slippery. Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, 17 May 2022 First introduced 22 years ago in 1999, the mouthwatering pastry features a creamy smooth, vanilla custard nestled in a flaky, buttery crust glazed with sugar and topped with rainbow sprinkles. PEOPLE.com, 1 Dec. 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA's best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration. Greg Beacham, Star Tribune, 4 June 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA’s best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration. Greg Beacham, orlandosentinel.com, 4 June 2021 The six-year veteran showed none of the shakiness from earlier in the series against the Lakers, shredding the NBA’s best defensive team with his silky-smooth jumper and heady penetration. Greg Beacham, ajc, 4 June 2021 Once the glue is dry, remove the clamp and sand the joint smooth. Kevin Dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2021 Its boldness will carry you into spring, with a smooth with gentle tannins. Aly Walansky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English smothe, from Old English smōth; akin to Old Saxon smōthi smooth
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing smooth
Kids Definition
smooth 1 of 2
adjective
ˈsmüt͟h
smoother; smoothest
1
: not rough or uneven in surface
a smooth board
2
: not hairy
a smooth face
3
: free from difficulties or things in the way
a smooth path
a smooth journey
4
: moving or progressing without breaks, sudden changes, or shifts
a smooth stream
smooth speech
5
: appearing to be friendly and flattering without really meaning it
a smooth talker
smooth
2 of 2verb
smoothed; smoothing
1
: to remove bumps, lumps, or wrinkles : make smooth
2
: to free from trouble or difficulty
Pioneers smoothed the way for us.
Medical Definition
smooth
adjective
ˈsmüt͟h
: forming or being a colony with a flat shiny surface usually made up of organisms that form no chains or filaments, show characteristic internal changes, and tend toward marked increase in capsule formation and virulence —used of dissociated strains of bacteria compare rough
smooth 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in graceful
having or showing very polished and worldly manners a smooth salesman of expensive jewelry Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- graceful
- sophisticated
- polished
- suave
- gracious
- civilized
- urbane
- slick
- svelte
- attractive
- serene
- debonair
- experienced
- confident
- poised
- cultivated
- unctuous
- cultured
- smart
- cosmopolitan
- practiced
- calm
- glib
- appealing
- amiable
- placid
- composed
- refined
- cavalier
- tranquil
- undisturbed
- seasoned
- secure
- knowing
- unperturbed
- assured
- genteel
- metropolitan
- collected
- well-bred
- metro
- cool
- couth
- schooled
- self-assured
- practised
- self-possessed
- worldly-wise
- self-confident
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stiff
- wooden
- uncomfortable
- awkward
- green
- uneasy
- uncouth
- clumsy
- stilted
- raw
- clownish
- classless
- boorish
- ungraceful
- loutish
- churlish
- rustic
- graceless
- gauche
- inexperienced
- unrefined
- provincial
- puerile
- inelegant
- callow
- rustical
- parochial
- unsophisticated
- uncivilized
- uncultured
- ungainly
- unworldly
- stodgy
- gawky
- rough-hewn
- insecure
- lubberly
- diffident
- philistine
- hick
2
as in easy
involving minimal difficulty or effort it should be smooth going from this point on Synonyms & Similar Words
- easy
- simple
- cheap
- effortless
- ready
- painless
- soft
- quick
- fluid
- straightforward
- downhill
- fluent
- light
- snap
- royal
- facile
- uncomplicated
- transparent
- clear
- hands-down
- obvious
- unchallenging
- distinct
- unmistakable
- unambiguous
- mindless
- plain
- evident
- manifest
- apparent
- idiotproof
- unequivocal
- patent
- palpable
- perspicuous
- clear-cut
- open-and-shut
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- difficult
- rough
- hard
- stiff
- tough
- arduous
- strenuous
- severe
- laborious
- formidable
- exacting
- painful
- killer
- demanding
- murderous
- grueling
- labored
- troublesome
- toilsome
- herculean
- complex
- stressful
- burdensome
- oppressive
- onerous
- exhausting
- intricate
- complicated
- gruelling
- problematic
- toilful
- involved
- problematical
- taxing
- knotty
- abstruse
- recondite
3
as in plane
having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities a smooth skating rink Synonyms & Similar Words
- plane
- flat
- level
- horizontal
- even
- flush
- uniform
- regular
- exact
- straight
- vertical
- true
- aligned
- tabular
- alined
- plumb
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- uneven
- coarse
- bumpy
- lumpy
- irregular
- wavy
- warped
- undulating
- unsmoothed
- inexact
- undulatory
- unaligned
- pitted
- pockmarked
- pocky
4
as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation his smooth disposition and leadership qualities lend themselves well to the position Synonyms & Similar Words
- calm
- serene
- peaceful
- tranquil
- composed
- steady
- unruffled
- placid
- collected
- undisturbed
- untroubled
- confident
- cool
- unperturbed
- mellow
- limpid
- relaxed
- together
- sedate
- at peace
- unworried
- possessed
- unshaken
- centered
- level
- relieved
- recollected
- coolheaded
- nonchalant
- self-possessed
- equal
- equable
- easygoing
- self-composed
- unflappable
- well-balanced
- imperturbable
- carefree
- affable
- unshakable
- breezy
- assured
- even
- detached
- sober
- even-keeled
- laid-back
- well-adjusted
- nerveless
- disciplined
- dispassionate
- unconcerned
- aloof
- tranquilized
- stolid
- tranquillized
- impassive
- indifferent
- phlegmatic
- loosey-goosey
- self-assured
- self-controlled
- happy-go-lucky
- bovine
- devil-may-care
- self-contained
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- upset
- disturbed
- perturbed
- agitated
- anxious
- uneasy
- unglued
- flustered
- distressed
- nervous
- jumpy
- unstrung
- worried
- bothered
- unsettled
- unhinged
- jittery
- tense
- restless
- unquiet
- unstable
- discomposed
- skittish
- uptight
- high-strung
smooth
2 of 2verb
1
as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty a willingness to compromise will smooth the way to an early agreement Synonyms & Similar Words
- facilitate
- ease
- accelerate
- improve
- speed
- grease
- promote
- simplify
- forward
- expedite
- assist
- aid
- unclog
- loosen (up)
- pave the way (for)
- quicken
- hurry
- help
- further
- streamline
- hasten
- rush
- advance
- straighten (out)
- abet
- disentangle
- untangle
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impede
- hinder
- complicate
- retard
- aggravate
- worsen
- sophisticate
- perplex
2
as in to shave
to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps the workers smoothed the surface of the concrete before letting it dry Synonyms & Similar Words
- shave
- flatten
- smoothen
- even
- trim
- plane
- rake
- level
- clip
- lay
- comb
- surface
- crop
- prune
- pare
- press
- spread
- card
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rough
- roughen
- wrinkle
- bend
- coarsen
- kink
- pit
- rumple
- dent
3
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure used fine sandpaper to smooth the face of the wood Synonyms & Similar Words
- polish
- rub
- gloss
- shine
- coat
- scrub
- slick
- sleek
- smoothen
- buff
- burnish
- sand
- scrape
- grind
- finish
- dress
- furbish
- bob
- glaze
- face
- varnish
- veneer
- lacquer
- file
- japan
- sandpaper
- brighten
- bone
- sandblast
- scour
- rasp
- lap
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- roughen
- rough (up)
- ruffle
- scuff (up)
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of smooth are bland, diplomatic, politic, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.
a smooth salesman
While in some cases nearly identical to smooth, bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.
a bland master of ceremonies
The synonyms diplomatic and smooth are sometimes interchangeable, but diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.
a diplomatic negotiator
In some situations, the words politic and smooth are roughly equivalent. However, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.
a cunningly politic manager
The words suave and smooth are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.
a suave public relations coordinator
The words urbane and smooth can be used in similar contexts, but urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.
an urbane traveler