smooth

verb

smoothed; smoothing; smooths also smoothes

transitive verb

1

: to make smooth

2

a

: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish

smoothed out his style

b

: soothe

3

: to minimize (something, such as a fault) especially in order to allay anger or ill will

His main job is to smooth over the friction that so often arises …

—Brian Crozier

4

: to free from obstruction or difficulty

conciliation smoothed the way to an agreement

5

a

: to press flat

smoothed down the folds of her dress

b

: to remove expression from (one's face) : compose

6

: to cause to lie evenly and in order : preen

a bird smoothing its feathers

7

: to free (a graph, a collection of data, etc.) from irregularities

intransitive verb

: to become smooth

smoother noun

Synonyms of smooth

• facilitate

Examples of smooth in a Sentence

He smoothed his tie and headed out the door.

The coin's date had been smoothed away over time.

Smooth the cream on after your shower.

Smooth the wax over the wood before polishing.

She smoothed on some moisturizer before she put on her makeup.

He smoothed ointment over the cut.

Recent Examples on the Web

Specifically, retinol smooths fine lines, lessens wrinkle depth, and whittles the appearance of large pores. —Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 29 May 2026

Rick is tightly scheduled, punctilious to a fault, endowed with verbal wit that gently but firmly shapes and smooths social interactions. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026

With the nurturing Moon highlighting your 7th House of Partnership, a supportive trine to jovial Jupiter in your 3rd House of Communication smooths important conversations. —Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026

Moringa seed and marula oils smooth frizz and prevent breakage for stronger, denser strands. —Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing smooth

• (as) smooth as silk
• smooth a path
• smooth away
• smooth breathing
• smooth fox terrier
• smooth hound
• smooth muscle
• smooth operator
• smooth out
• smooth over
• smooth sailing
• smooth talker
• smooth-talking
• smooth the way
• smooth things out
• smooth-tongued
• take the rough with the smooth

Rhymes for smooth

• sooth
• soothe

Kids Definition

smooth

1 of 2 adjective

ˈsmüt͟h 

1

a

: having a continuous even surface : not rough

a smooth skin

b

: not hairy

2

: free from obstacles or difficulties

a smooth path

3

: even and uninterrupted in flow or flight

4

: flattering but not truthfully so

a smooth talker

5

a

: calm in manner or behavior : serene

a smooth disposition

b

: amiable, courteous

6

: not sharp or harsh

a smooth sherry

smoothly adverb

smoothness noun

smooth

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make smooth

smooth the edge of a board

2

a

: to free from what is harsh or disagreeable : polish

smoothed out my style

b

: to make calm : soothe

3

: to make (as a fault) seem of little importance in order to avoid bad feelings

smoothed things over with apologies

4

: to free from trouble or difficulty

smoothed the way for a quick end to the dispute

5

: to press flat

smoothed down the folds of the tablecloth

6

: to cause to lie evenly and in order : preen

smooths down its feathers

smoother noun

Medical Definition

smooth

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h 

: forming or being a colony with a flat shiny surface usually made up of organisms that form no chains or filaments, show characteristic internal changes, and tend toward marked increase in capsule formation and virulence

—used of dissociated strains of bacteria compare rough