A1 adjective Neutral #4,157 most common

smooth

/smuːð/

Describes a surface that is even and flat without any lumps, bumps, or holes. It is also used to describe a process or movement that happens easily without problems.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The baby has very smooth skin.

The baby has very smooth skin.

2

Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.

Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.

3

That was a smooth move on the dance floor!

That was a smooth move on the dance floor!

Word Family

Noun
smoothness
Verb
smooth
Adverb
smoothly
Adjective
smooth
Related
smoother
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letter 'S': Silk is Smooth, and so is the Sea when it is calm.

Quick Quiz

The ice on the lake is very _____, so it is easy to skate on.

Correct!

The correct answer is: smooth

Examples

1

The baby has very smooth skin.

everyday

The baby has very smooth skin.

2

Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.

formal

Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.

3

That was a smooth move on the dance floor!

informal

That was a smooth move on the dance floor!

4

The graph shows a smooth increase in the population over ten years.

academic

The graph shows a smooth increase in the population over ten years.

5

We are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new software.

business

We are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new software.

Word Family

Noun
smoothness
Verb
smooth
Adverb
smoothly
Adjective
smooth
Related
smoother

Common Collocations

smooth skin skin that is soft and even
smooth surface a flat and even area
smooth road a road without bumps or holes
smooth ride a comfortable journey in a vehicle
smooth texture how something even feels to the touch

Common Phrases

smooth sailing

to make progress without any difficulties

smooth operator

a person who is very skilled and charming

take the rough with the smooth

to accept the bad things along with the good

Often Confused With

smooth vs soft

Soft means easy to press or bend (like a pillow), while smooth means an even surface (like glass).

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'smooth' for physical things like paper or skin, and for abstract situations like a plan that goes perfectly.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'soft' for a floor or table because it feels nice, but they should use 'smooth' if the surface is flat and hard.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letter 'S': Silk is Smooth, and so is the Sea when it is calm.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English word 'smōth', meaning free from roughness or level.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an adjective before a noun: 'a smooth surface'. Used after linking verbs: 'the milk feels smooth'. Comparative form is 'smoother' and superlative is 'the smoothest'.
🌍

Cultural Context

In English-speaking cultures, describing a person as 'smooth' can be a compliment for their social skills, but it can also imply they are slightly untrustworthy.

Quick Quiz

The ice on the lake is very _____, so it is easy to skate on.

Correct!

The correct answer is: smooth

Related Phrases

More Descriptions words

tiny

A1

Describes 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.

miniature

A1

A very small copy or model of something that is usually much larger. It can also refer to a very small painting, especially a portrait.

tall

A1

Describing something or someone that has a greater than average height. It is typically used for living things like people and trees, or narrow objects like buildings and towers.

low

A1

Not 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.

wide

A1

Describes something that has a large distance from one side to the other. It is used to talk about the breadth of physical objects like roads, doors, or rivers.

thick

A1

Describes 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.

thin

A1

Describes something that has a small distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe a person or animal that has very little body fat.

deep

A1

As a noun, 'the deep' refers to the ocean or a very large and deep body of water. It is also used to describe the most intense or central part of a period of time, such as the middle of the night or winter.

perfect

A1

In grammar, the perfect refers to a verb form that shows an action is completed or finished. It is also used in the phrase 'practice makes perfect' to describe a state of having no mistakes.

terrible

A1

Used to describe something that is very bad, of poor quality, or causes great unhappiness. It is a strong way to say that you dislike something or that a situation is very unpleasant.

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