smooth
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 5The baby has very smooth skin.
The baby has very smooth skin.
Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.
Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.
That was a smooth move on the dance floor!
That was a smooth move on the dance floor!
Word Family
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
The baby has very smooth skin.
everydayThe baby has very smooth skin.
Please ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.
formalPlease ensure the wooden surface is smooth before you start painting.
That was a smooth move on the dance floor!
informalThat was a smooth move on the dance floor!
The graph shows a smooth increase in the population over ten years.
academicThe graph shows a smooth increase in the population over ten years.
We are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new software.
businessWe are working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new software.
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
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
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 Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More Descriptions words
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.
miniature
A1A 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
A1Describing 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
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.
wide
A1Describes 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
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.
thin
A1Describes 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
A1As 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
A1In 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
A1Used 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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