smoothness
/ˈsmuːðnəs/ (bre, ipa) · [smˈuðnəs] /ˈsmuːðnəs/ (ame, ipa)
smoothness — noun
1. how flat and even something feels to the touch, without rough spots, bumps, gaps
how flat and even something feels to the touch, without rough spots, bumps, gaps, or raised edges.
The polish gave the wooden table a smoothness you could feel instantly.
collocation: give a surface smoothness
After the repair, the road's smoothness surprised cyclists on the hill.
Mina checked the clay bowl for smoothness before it went into the kiln.
This cream adds smoothness to dry hands after only one use.
文法句型
the smoothness of + noun
add smoothness to + noun
用法筆記
Common with surfaces, skin, fabric, clay, and similar things you can touch. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about events or processes going well over time.
常見錯誤
2. the way an activity, trip, or process continues evenly, without interruptions, s
the way an activity, trip, or process continues evenly, without interruptions, sudden changes, or practical problems.
Good planning brought smoothness to the office move over the weekend.
collocation: bring smoothness to
Passengers noticed the smoothness of the flight despite the heavy rain.
The team praised the smoothness of online registration on opening day.
Months of practice gave the stage changeover a new smoothness.
- fluidity
often suggests effortless movement or operation
- seamlessness
stronger, suggesting no visible breaks or joins
- disruption
focuses on stops or breaks in progress
- bumpiness
informal and common for awkward progress
文法句型
the smoothness of + process
bring smoothness to + event
用法筆記
Usually describes journeys, processes, software, or other things that unfold over time. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about physical motion while turning or changing direction.
常見錯誤
3. the state of moving in a calm, even way, especially when something turns or chan
the state of moving in a calm, even way, especially when something turns or changes direction without jerking.
Drivers admired the bus's smoothness as it rounded the mountain bend.
smoothness while rounding a bend
The skater's smoothness made every turn look easy to copy.
Even on rough water, the boat moved with impressive smoothness.
Reviewers commented on the camera's smoothness during fast side-to-side movement.
- steadiness
focuses more on stability than on graceful turning
- fluidity
suggests graceful, flowing motion
文法句型
the smoothness of + movement
with smoothness through + turn
用法筆記
Most often used for vehicles, cameras, skating, and other movement where jerks or sudden direction changes would be noticeable.
4. the pleasant, gentle taste of food or drink that lacks sharp sourness or bittern
the pleasant, gentle taste of food or drink that lacks sharp sourness or bitterness.
The soup's smoothness came from slow cooking and a little cream.
smoothness from slow cooking
Lian liked the tea for its smoothness, not for its sweetness.
Oak aging added smoothness to the whisky without hiding the fruit.
Judges praised the sauce's smoothness after one careful taste.
- mellowness
suggests a rounded, softened flavour
- roundness
common in tasting language for balanced flavour
- bitterness
the common opposite in drinks like tea or coffee
- sharpness
suggests an acidic or biting edge
文法句型
the smoothness of + drink
add smoothness to + flavour
用法筆記
Common with tea, whisky, sauce, soup, and similar foods or drinks. Focuses on taste rather than physical texture, which is closer to sense 1.
5. the quality of a voice, tune, or other sound being easy on the ear, without hars
the quality of a voice, tune, or other sound being easy on the ear, without harsh or scratchy notes.
The singer's smoothness kept the room quiet through the final verse.
smoothness of a singing voice
Listeners loved the smoothness of her late-night radio voice.
A fresh reed took away the roughness and gave the saxophone more smoothness.
The recording gained smoothness after the engineer cut the sharp high notes.
- mellowness
suggests a warm, gentle sound
- warmth
less exact, but often overlaps in sound quality
文法句型
the smoothness of + voice
gain smoothness after + change
用法筆記
Common with voices, singing, radio speech, and musical tones. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about taste rather than sound.
6. a person's polished, persuasive manner that seems pleasant on the surface but do
a person's polished, persuasive manner that seems pleasant on the surface but does not feel honest.
The salesman's smoothness won quick smiles, but nobody trusted the offer.
smoothness that seems persuasive but unsafe
Even under pressure, Nadia saw the candidate's smoothness as a warning sign.
The interviewer's smoothness made the false story sound almost believable.
Too much smoothness in his apology made Priam more suspicious.
- sincerity
the direct opposite in personal manner
- directness
suggests straightforward speech without polish
文法句型
someone's smoothness
too much smoothness in + noun
用法筆記
Usually negative, especially about salespeople, politicians, or applicants who seem too polished to be sincere.