smooth
Smooth describes something flat and even, or a process that works without any problems.
Explanation at your level:
Smooth means the opposite of rough. Think of glass or a table. If you touch it, it feels nice and flat. If you have a smooth day, it means everything is good and you have no problems.
You use smooth when something is flat. For example, 'The paper is smooth.' You can also use it for movement. 'The car had a smooth ride' means the car moved well and it was comfortable for you.
At this level, you can use smooth to describe processes. If a project is going well, you can say it is a smooth process. It is a very common word in business and daily life. Remember the comparative: 'This road is smoother than the other one.'
Smooth often describes social interactions or personality. A 'smooth talker' is someone very persuasive. In professional contexts, we talk about 'smooth transitions' or 'smooth operations.' It suggests efficiency and lack of friction in any system.
In advanced English, smooth can describe a transition in a speech or a subtle change in a musical performance. It implies a lack of jarring shifts. It can also describe a 'smooth' flavor, like in wine or whiskey, meaning it lacks harshness or acidity.
At the mastery level, smooth is used in nuanced ways to describe 'smooth' logic or a 'smooth' argument that is perfectly structured and impossible to fault. It carries connotations of elegance, refinement, and seamless integration, often used in literary descriptions of landscapes or human grace.
30초 단어
- Smooth means flat and even.
- It describes textures and processes.
- It is a versatile adjective.
- It often implies ease and quality.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word smooth. At its most basic, it describes the physical texture of an object. If you run your hand over a marble countertop or a calm lake, you are experiencing something smooth. It is the opposite of rough or bumpy.
Beyond the physical, we use smooth to describe how things happen. If your morning routine goes perfectly without any delays or spilled coffee, you had a smooth start to your day. It implies a sense of flow, efficiency, and ease. Whether it is a smooth ride in a car or a smooth conversation, the word suggests that everything is working exactly as it should.
The word smooth has deep roots in Germanic history. It comes from the Old English word smōth, which meant 'having a level surface.' It is closely related to the Middle Low German word smōde. Interestingly, it shares a linguistic ancestor with the word smear, suggesting that something smooth might have been associated with something that had been rubbed or leveled out.
Over centuries, the meaning expanded from just describing physical textures to describing abstract concepts like personality, speech, and processes. It is a classic example of how a word can evolve from a simple tactile description to a sophisticated way of describing complex, non-physical situations.
Idioms make language fun! Here are some favorites:
- Smooth sailing: A situation that is easy and free of problems. Example: 'Once we finished the training, it was smooth sailing.'
- Smooth operator: Someone who is very good at dealing with people or situations. Example: 'He's a smooth operator when it comes to sales.'
- Smooth over: To make a difficult situation seem less serious. Example: 'She tried to smooth over the argument.'
- Smooth as silk: Extremely smooth. Example: 'The engine runs as smooth as silk.'
- Smooth the way: To make something easier to happen. Example: 'Her connections helped smooth the way for his promotion.'
Smooth is a regular adjective. Its comparative form is smoother and the superlative is smoothest. It is pronounced with a voiced 'th' sound at the end, which can be tricky for some learners! IPA: /smuːð/.
It rhymes with soothe (the verb). Remember that smooth is an adjective, so it usually comes before a noun or after a linking verb like 'is' or 'feels'. It is not a count noun, so you won't see it pluralized or used with 'a/an' unless it is part of a larger noun phrase.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with 'smear', implying a leveled surface.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'oo' sound, voiced 'th'
Similar to UK, clear 'th'
Common Errors
- Hard 'th' sound
- Short 'oo' sound
- Misplacing stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Adjective order
The smooth, flat table.
Comparative adjectives
Smoother than.
Phrasal verbs
Smooth out.
Examples by Level
The table is smooth.
table = mesa
Adjective after verb
The stone is smooth.
stone = piedra
Simple sentence
I like smooth paper.
paper = papel
Adjective before noun
The ride was smooth.
ride = viaje
Past tense
Her skin is smooth.
skin = piel
Possessive adjective
The water is smooth.
water = agua
Linking verb
It feels smooth.
feels = se siente
Sensory verb
The road is smooth.
road = camino
Simple state
The flight was very smooth.
He has a smooth voice.
The transition was smooth.
She made a smooth turn.
The surface is smooth.
Everything went smooth.
The cream is smooth.
The path is smooth.
The merger went through a smooth process.
He is a very smooth talker.
We had a smooth journey to the airport.
The paint gave the wall a smooth finish.
The engine is running smooth.
They had a smooth start to the project.
The transition of power was smooth.
The surface needs to be smooth.
His argument was smooth and convincing.
The transition between chapters was smooth.
She handled the crisis with smooth efficiency.
The wine has a smooth, velvet taste.
The transition to remote work was surprisingly smooth.
The dancer's movements were smooth and graceful.
He smoothed over the tension in the room.
The company is known for its smooth operations.
The transition from classical to jazz was smooth.
Her smooth delivery of the speech won the crowd.
The software update provided a smooth user experience.
The transition into the next century was not smooth.
He possesses a smooth, sophisticated charm.
The integration of the two systems was smooth.
The narrative flow is smooth and engaging.
The transition of the economy was smooth.
The transition was marked by a smooth transfer of power.
His smooth articulation of the complex theory was impressive.
The surface was polished to a smooth, glass-like finish.
The transition of the seasons was smooth and subtle.
She demonstrated a smooth command of the language.
The transition of the plot was smooth and logical.
The transition of the melody was smooth and harmonious.
The transition of the landscape was smooth.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"smooth sailing"
easy progress
The project was smooth sailing.
casual"smooth operator"
charming/persuasive person
He is a smooth operator.
casual"smooth over"
to fix a problem
He smoothed over the conflict.
neutral"smooth as silk"
very smooth
The surface is smooth as silk.
neutral"smooth the way"
to make easier
They smoothed the way for us.
neutral"smooth out"
to remove wrinkles or problems
Let's smooth out the details.
neutralEasily Confused
both imply comfort
soft = squishy, smooth = flat
A pillow is soft, a table is smooth.
both imply level
flat = geometry, smooth = texture
The earth is flat, the surface is smooth.
both imply consistency
even = balanced, smooth = touch
The score is even, the wood is smooth.
both imply quality
sleek = shiny/modern, smooth = texture
The cat is sleek, the stone is smooth.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + smooth
The road is smooth.
Subject + feels + smooth
This fabric feels smooth.
Subject + makes + something + smooth
He makes the process smooth.
Smooth + noun + verb
Smooth surfaces reflect light.
Smooth + out + object
I need to smooth out the wrinkles.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Smooth is usually an adjective. To use it as a verb, you often need a particle like 'out' or 'over'.
Smooth refers to texture (no bumps), soft refers to firmness (can be pressed).
The 'th' is voiced, not a hard 't' or 's'.
Smooth implies a flow, not just 'easy'.
It is a one-syllable word, so use -er, not 'more smooth'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a piece of glass.
When Native Speakers Use It
To describe a good day.
Cultural Insight
Used in marketing.
Grammar Shortcut
Use -er for comparative.
Say It Right
Voiced th.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'more smooth'.
Did You Know?
Related to smear.
Study Smart
Use in sentences.
Professional Use
Smooth transition.
Music
Think of the song 'Smooth'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Smooth starts with 'S' like Surface.
Visual Association
Imagine a calm, flat lake reflecting the sky.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe three things in your room using 'smooth'.
어원
Old English
Original meaning: having a level surface
문화적 맥락
None
Commonly used in marketing to imply quality (e.g., 'smooth taste').
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- smooth transition
- smooth operation
- smooth process
at home
- smooth surface
- smooth finish
- smooth skin
travel
- smooth ride
- smooth flight
- smooth sailing
social
- smooth talker
- smooth over
- smooth movement
Conversation Starters
"What is the smoothest surface you have ever touched?"
"Do you prefer a smooth ride or a bumpy one?"
"Have you ever had to smooth over an argument?"
"What makes a person a 'smooth talker'?"
"Is your life currently 'smooth sailing'?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when a process went perfectly smooth.
Write about a surface that feels very smooth.
How do you smooth over problems in your life?
Why is smoothness often associated with quality?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문Yes, it is primarily an adjective.
Yes, usually with 'out' or 'over'.
Rough or bumpy.
Usually, yes.
/smuːð/.
Yes, a 'smooth talker'.
No, it means flat/even.
Yes, very common.
셀프 테스트
The table is ___.
Smooth describes the texture.
Which means smooth?
Flat is the closest synonym.
Smooth can describe a process.
Yes, a smooth process is one without problems.
Word
뜻
Matching opposites.
The ride was smooth.
He tried to ___ over the argument.
Idiom: smooth over.
Which is not a synonym?
Rough is an antonym.
Smooth can describe a flavor.
Yes, a smooth wine is one without harshness.
Word
뜻
Idiom meanings.
They paved the smooth path.
점수: /10
Summary
Smooth means having no bumps or problems, whether you are talking about a physical surface or a life situation.
- Smooth means flat and even.
- It describes textures and processes.
- It is a versatile adjective.
- It often implies ease and quality.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a piece of glass.
When Native Speakers Use It
To describe a good day.
Cultural Insight
Used in marketing.
Grammar Shortcut
Use -er for comparative.
예시
This is very smooth.
Related Content
Descriptions 관련 단어
short
A1Describes something that measures a small distance from one end to the other or is not tall in height. It is also used to describe a brief period of time or a limited amount of something.
rapid
A1단어 사용에 오류가 있는 것 같습니다. 'Rapid'은 빠른 것을 뜻하는 형용사입니다. 혹시 'rapid'을 말씀하신 건가요?
low
A1Not high or tall in height, often positioned close to the ground or a base level. It can also describe a small amount of something, a quiet sound, or a sad mood.
narrow
A1Narrow describes something that has a very small distance from one side to the other. It is the opposite of wide and is often used to describe roads, paths, or spaces.
thick
A1Describes something that has a large distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe liquids that are dense and do not flow easily, or things that grow closely together like hair or forest trees.
full
A1The complete amount or the state of being total without any parts missing. It is most frequently used in fixed phrases like 'in full' to describe a payment or a name that is complete.
gray
A1A neutral color that is a mixture of black and white, often seen in clouds, ash, or lead. It is used to describe objects that lack bright color or to represent a sense of seriousness and neutrality.
purple
A1Purple is a color that is made by mixing red and blue together. It is a common color found in nature, such as in certain flowers and fruits like grapes.
tiny
A1Describes something that is very small in size, amount, or degree. It is more emphatic than the word 'small' and is often used to highlight how little something is.
perfect
A1문법에서는 동작이 완료되었음을 나타내는 시제를 뜻해. 또한 '연습이 완벽을 만든다'는 말처럼 실수가 없는 상태를 의미하기도 해.
