smooth
/smuːð/ (bre, ipa) · /smuːð/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsmüt͟h/ (ame, mw)
smooth — adjective
- smoothpositive
- smoothercomparative
- smoothestsuperlative
1. describes a surface that has no bumps, lumps, or rough spots — like the surface
describes a surface that has no bumps, lumps, or rough spots — like the surface of a mirror, a polished stone, or still water on a calm day.
Amihan ran her fingers over the smooth glass tabletop.
The new road felt smooth under the tyres of Caio's bicycle.
Mix the ingredients until the sauce becomes completely smooth and shiny.
The surface of the frozen lake was so smooth that it looked like a mirror.
Jude picked a smooth stone from the riverbed and put it in his pocket.
- rough
the most direct opposite for texture
文法句型
smooth + noun
be + smooth
常見錯誤
2. describes an event, process, or journey that continues without any problems, del
describes an event, process, or journey that continues without any problems, delays, or unexpected difficulties.
The project had a smooth start, with all the documents ready on time.
collocation: smooth start
Despite the strong wind, the flight was smooth and arrived ten minutes early.
The manager made sure the move to the new office was smooth for everyone.
Otis hoped the visa application process would be smooth and quick.
The switch to the new software was not completely smooth, but the team managed.
- problem-free
more informal and direct
- seamless
stronger, suggests no visible joins or gaps
- uneventful
neutral, can be positive or boring
文法句型
smooth + noun
be + smooth
keep + noun + smooth
常見錯誤
3. describes a drink or food that has a gentle, pleasant taste with no sharp, sour,
describes a drink or food that has a gentle, pleasant taste with no sharp, sour, or bitter notes.
This coffee has a smooth taste with no bitter aftertaste.
collocation: smooth taste
The chocolate mousse was rich and smooth, with a hint of vanilla.
Walid prefers smooth red wines that do not leave a sour feeling.
The cream sauce had a smooth flavour that went well with the fish.
文法句型
taste/feel/look + smooth
smooth + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used for coffee, chocolate, wine, whisky, sauces, and other foods where bitterness or acidity might be a problem.
4. describes someone who behaves in a charming and confident way, but seems dishone
describes someone who behaves in a charming and confident way, but seems dishonest or does not mean what they say.
Soraya found the salesman so smooth that she did not trust a single word he said.
Imran recognised the smooth talk of someone who wanted to sell him something.
collocation: smooth talk
Élise saw through his smooth compliments and refused to sign the contract.
The politician's smooth answers during the interview sounded rehearsed and dishonest.
Padma did not trust the smooth-talking consultant and asked to work with someone else.
文法句型
smooth + noun
be + smooth
用法筆記
Almost always negative — describes charm that feels calculated rather than natural. Often used for salespeople, politicians, or anyone trying to persuade for personal gain.
常見錯誤
smooth — verb
- smoothpresent simple I / you / we / they
- smooths3rd person singular
- smoothing-ing form
- smoothedpast simple
1. to press or rub a fabric, paper, or similar material with your hand or a tool so
to press or rub a fabric, paper, or similar material with your hand or a tool so that folds and bumps disappear.
Yael smoothed the tablecloth with her hand before setting the plates.
smooth + noun + with hand
The mother smoothed her child's hair and kissed her forehead.
Sumin smoothed the creases in his shirt before the job interview.
Jack smoothed the bedsheet flat before laying down to rest.
Rodrigo smoothed the damp clay with a wooden tool until the bowl was even.
文法句型
smooth + noun
smooth + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
For small folds, creases, or wrinkles in fabric, paper, or hair. For larger surfaces or removing bigger bumps, use 'flatten' or 'level'.
常見錯誤
2. to remove problems or obstacles so that a process, relationship, or situation be
to remove problems or obstacles so that a process, relationship, or situation becomes easier and happens without difficulty.
The new software smoothed the way for faster communication between teams.
collocation: smooth the way for
Abigail's experience helped smooth the process of applying for the building permit.
collocation: smooth the process
The manager held a meeting to smooth out any remaining disagreements between the groups.
Sora worked hard to smooth relations between the unhappy neighbours.
The mediator tried to smooth over the conflict before it reached the newspapers.
- ease
focuses on reducing difficulty rather than removing it entirely
- facilitate
more formal, about making a process possible or easier
- hinder
creates obstacles instead of removing them
- complicate
makes a situation harder
文法句型
smooth + noun
smooth the way for + noun
smooth out + noun
smooth over + noun
用法筆記
Common in formal and workplace contexts. 'Smooth over' means to make a disagreement seem less serious. 'Smooth out' means to resolve practical problems. 'Smooth the way' means to make progress easier by removing barriers beforehand.
3. to spread a soft, wet, or sticky substance over a surface using gentle rubbing o
to spread a soft, wet, or sticky substance over a surface using gentle rubbing or pressing motions to create an even layer.
Folake smoothed sun cream onto her arms before stepping onto the beach.
smooth + noun + onto + noun
The baker smoothed a layer of icing over the cake with a long knife.
smooth + noun + over + noun
Christopher smoothed butter onto the warm toast and added a spoonful of jam.
The nurse smoothed cream over the patient's dry skin with gentle circular movements.
文法句型
smooth + noun + onto/over + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (MAKE FLAT): sense 3 is about applying a substance, whereas sense 1 is about reshaping material that already exists (fabric, hair, paper). If the action involves taking a substance from a container and spreading it, it is sense 3.
常見錯誤
smooth — noun
1. a quick rubbing or pressing movement with the hand to make something flat, neat,
a quick rubbing or pressing movement with the hand to make something flat, neat, or free of creases.
The carpenter gave the surface a final smooth with fine sandpaper before painting.
collocation: give + noun + a smooth
Nala gave her ponytail a quick smooth to remove any loose strands.
A gentle smooth of the dough with wet fingers stops it from cracking.
Baraka gave the tablecloth a final smooth before the guests arrived.
文法句型
a + smooth
give + noun + a + smooth
the + smooth
用法筆記
Used in the pattern 'give + object + a smooth' — similar to 'give it a clean' or 'give it a wipe'. This is the only sense where 'smooth' is used as a count noun (typically singular).