smash

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈsmash 

1

a

: a smashing blow or attack

b

: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis or badminton)

2

a

: the action or sound of smashing

especially : a wreck due to collision : crash

b

: utter collapse : ruin

3

: a striking success

smash

2 of 5

verb

smashed; smashing; smashes

transitive verb

1

: to break or crush by violence

2

a

: to drive or throw violently especially with a shattering or battering effect

also : to effect in this way

b

: to hit violently : batter

c(1)

: to hit (something, such as a tennis ball) with a hard overhand stroke

(2)

: to drive (a ball) with a forceful stroke

3

: to destroy utterly : wreck

intransitive verb

1

: to move or become propelled with violence or crashing effect

smashed into a tree

2

: to become wrecked

3

: to go to pieces suddenly under collision or pressure

smasher noun

smash

3 of 5

adjective

: being a smash : outstanding

a smash hit

smasher

4 of 5

noun (2)

smash·​er

ˈsmashə(r), 

-aa(ə)sh-, 

-aish-

plural -s

1

: something very large or fine or extraordinary of its kind

hotel is a smasher with 1216 rooms

—Hedda Hopper

a smasher of a moustache

—Bruce Marshall

smasher of a bride

—Richard Llewellyn

2

: one that smashes or crushes

a smasher of a blow

heavy freight vehicles which are road smashers

—John Kemp

: such as

a

: a laborer who smashes slate or stone with a sledgehammer

b

: smashing machine

also : an operator of such a machine

3

: a tennis or badminton player who is skilled in executing a smash

can play the baseline but is also a volleyer, a smasher

—Alice Marble

4

: a repairer of smashes in textiles

called also smash fixer, smash hand, smash piecer

5

or smasher hat Africa : a soft felt hat with a wide brim

smasher

5 of 5

noun (3)

"

plural -s

1

: a receiver of stolen goods

2

: one who puts into circulation counterfeit coin or forged currency notes

Synonyms of smash

Noun (1)

• collision
• thump
• crash
• slam
• shock
• jolt

Verb

• shatter
• destroy

Examples of smash in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The new movie is a smash.

She was a smash at the party.

His new song promises to be a smash hit.

The vase fell to the ground with a loud smash.

She hit an overhand smash that won the match.

Verb

He smashed the vase with a hammer.

The ball smashed the window.

The vase fell and smashed to pieces.

He smashed into the wall.

She smashed the ball deep into the opposite corner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Each episode of the ratings smash follows professional craftspeople from around the country who restore family heirlooms that have sentimental value for their owners. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

The Big Bang line that made the brand a household name grew into a smash hit after its creation by the industry’s famous marketing genius, Jean-Claude Biver, in 2005. — Simon De Burton, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

In Tirana this week, protesters smashed windows, set alight ​government buildings and clashed with police. — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Federal officials maintain the immigration officers believed their lives were in danger and opened fire only after Belgal smashed his car into two government vehicles and accelerated toward them. — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Yet that stage of the pair’s partnership was undeniably a smash success. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

The park was a smash success and has only grown since then — on July 3, Disneyland welcomed its 1 billionth guest, 8-year-old Andres Robles. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Noun (2)

perhaps blend of smack entry 4 and mash entry 2

and Noun (3)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1764, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1923, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing smash

• smash-and-grab
• smash burger
• smash down
• smash in
• smash to smithereens

Rhymes for smash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

smash

1 of 2 verb

ˈsmash 

1

: to break into pieces by violence : shatter

2

: to drive, throw, or move violently especially with a destructive effect

3

: to destroy completely : wreck

4

: to go to pieces suddenly : collapse

smasher noun

smash

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a heavy blow or attack

b

: a hard overhand stroke (as in tennis)

2

: the condition of being smashed

3

a

: the action or sound of smashing

especially : a wreck due to collision : crash

b

: complete collapse : ruin

especially : bankruptcy

4

: a striking success : hit

the new play is a smash