smooth Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of smoothing
    • he gave his hair a quick smooth
  2. verb make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing
    smoothen.
    • smooth the surface of the wood
  3. verb make (a surface) shine
    shine; polish; smoothen.
    • shine the silver, please
    • polish my shoes
  4. verb free from obstructions
    smooth out.
    • smooth the way towards peace negotiations
  5. adjective having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
    • smooth skin
    • a smooth tabletop
    • smooth fabric
    • a smooth road
    • water as smooth as a mirror
  6. adjective satellite smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication
    bland; politic; suave.
    • he was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage
    • the manager pacified the customer with a smooth apology for the error
  7. adjective of the margin of a leaf shape; not broken up into teeth
  8. adjective satellite smooth and unconstrained in movement
    fluent; fluid; liquid.
    • a long, smooth stride
    • the fluid motion of a cat
    • the liquid grace of a ballerina
  9. adjective (music) without breaks between notes; smooth and connected
    legato.
    • a legato passage
  10. adjective of motion that runs or flows or proceeds without jolts or turbulence
    • a smooth ride
  11. adjective satellite lacking obstructions or difficulties
    • the bill's path through the legislature was smooth and orderly
  12. adjective satellite (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
    quiet; unruffled; placid; tranquil; still.
    • a ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
    • the quiet waters of a lagoon
    • a lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
    • a smooth channel crossing
    • scarcely a ripple on the still water
    • unruffled water

WordNet

Smooth adjective
Etymology
OE. smothe, smethe, AS. sme&edh;e, sm&oe;&edt;e, where e, &oe;, come from an older &omac;; cf. LG. smöde, smöe, smödig; of uncertain origin.
Wordforms
comparative Smoother ; superlative Smoothest
Definitions
  1. Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain. Chaucer.
    The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities. Dryden.
  2. Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.
  3. Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.
  4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent.
    The only smooth poet of those times. Milton.
    Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join The varying verse, the full-resounding line. Pope.
    When sage Minerva rose, From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows. Gay.
  5. Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering.
    This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft Conceal a traitor. Addison.
  6. (Mech. & Physics) Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless. ✍ Smooth is often used in the formation of selfexplaining compounds; as, smooth-bodied, smooth-browed, smooth-combed, smooth-faced, smooth-finished, smooth-gliding, smooth-grained, smooth-leaved, smooth-sliding, smooth-speaking, smooth-woven, and the like. Syn. -- Even; plain; level; flat; polished; glossy; sleek; soft; bland; mild; soothing; voluble; flattering; adulatory; deceptive.
Smooth adverb
Definitions
  1. Smoothly. Chaucer.
    Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep. Shak.
Smooth noun
Definitions
  1. The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths. Thackeray.
  2. That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything. "The smooth of his neck." Gen. xxvii. 16.
Smooth transitive verb
Etymology
OE. smothen, smethen, AS. sme&edh;ian; cf. LG. smöden. See Smooth, a.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Smoothed present participle & verbal noun Smoothing
Definitions
  1. To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron. Specifically: -- (a) To free from obstruction; to make easy.
    Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay, And smooth my passage to the realms of day. Pope.
    (b) To free from harshness; to make flowing.
    In their motions harmony divine So smooths her charming tones that God's own ear Listens delighted. Milton.
    (c) To palliate; to gloze; as, to smooth over a fault. (d) To give a smooth or calm appearance to.
    Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm. Milton.
    (e) To ease; to regulate. Dryden.
Smooth intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To flatter; to use blandishment.
    Because I can not flatter and speak fair, Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog. Shak.

Webster 1913