Smooth meaning

What does “smooth” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“smooth” is a noun, verb and adjective with 12 meanings. Its most common meaning is: the act of smoothing.

smooth

noun

  1. the act of smoothing

    “he gave his hair a quick smooth”

verb

  1. make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing

    “smooth the surface of the wood”

    Synonymssmoothen
    Oppositesroughen
  2. make (a surface) shine

    “shine the silver, please”

    “polish my shoes”

  3. free from obstructions

    “smooth the way towards peace negotiations”

    Synonymssmooth out

adjective

  1. having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

    “smooth skin”

    “a smooth tabletop”

    Oppositesrough
  2. smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication

    “he was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage”

    “the manager pacified the customer with a smooth apology for the error”

  3. of the margin of a leaf shape; not broken up into teeth

    Oppositesrough
  4. smooth and unconstrained in movement

    “a long, smooth stride”

    “the fluid motion of a cat”

  5. (music) without breaks between notes; smooth and connected

    “a legato passage”

    Synonymslegato
  6. of motion that runs or flows or proceeds without jolts or turbulence

    “a smooth ride”

    Oppositesrough
  7. lacking obstructions or difficulties

    “the bill's path through the legislature was smooth and orderly”

  8. (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

    “a ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay”

    “the quiet waters of a lagoon”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University