smooth
smooth definition
smooth (smo̵̅o̅t̸h)
adjective
- having an even or level surface; having no roughness or projections that can be seen or felt
- having its projections leveled by wear a smooth tire
- having an even consistency; without lumps a smooth paste
- even, calm, or gentle in flow or movement a smooth voyage
- free from interruptions, obstacles, difficulties, etc. smooth progress
- not easily agitated or ruffled; calm; serene a smooth temper
- free from hair, beard, etc.
- pleasing to the taste; not sharp or harsh; bland
- having an easy, gentle, flowing rhythm or sound
- ☆ suave, polished, or ingratiating, esp. in a flattering, insincere way
- ☆ Informal polished; competent a smooth dancer
- Slang very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable
- Mech. having relatively little friction
- Phonet. articulated without aspiration
Etymology: ME smothe < OE smoth, for earlier smethe < Gmc *smanthi < IE *som-, together < base *sem-, together, same
transitive verb
- to make level or even
- to remove the lumps from
- to remove wrinkles from by pressing
- to free from interruptions, difficulties, etc.; make easy
- to make calm or serene; soothe
- to make less crude; polish or refine
intransitive verb
to become smooth
adverb
in a smooth manner
noun
- something smooth; smooth part
- an act of smoothing
Related Forms:
- smoother smooth′er noun
- smoothly smooth′ly adverb
- smoothness smooth′·ness noun
smooth Idioms
smooth away
to remove (difficulties, obstacles, etc.)
smooth down
to make or become smooth, or even, level, calm, etc.
smooth over
to gloss over or make light of (a fault, unpleasant situation, etc.)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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