smooth

smooth — adjective

1. describes a surface that has no bumps, lumps, or rough spots — like the surface

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

describes a surface that has no bumps, lumps, or rough spots — like the surface of a mirror, a polished stone, or still water on a calm day.

Example

Amihan ran her fingers over the smooth glass tabletop.

The new road felt smooth under the tyres of Caio's bicycle.

Common collocations
  • smooth surface
  • smooth skin
  • smooth finish
  • smooth glass
  • smooth stone
Synonyms
  • even

    focuses on levelness rather than softness

  • flat

    emphasises a lack of slope or curve

  • silky

    more about softness to the touch, often for fabrics or skin

Antonyms
  • rough

    the most direct opposite for texture

Grammar Patterns

smooth + noun

be + smooth

Common Mistakes

Please give me a smooth paper.' (using 'smooth' for 'blank').
Please give me a blank piece of paper.
'smooth' describes texture, not emptiness.

2. describes an event, process, or journey that continues without any problems, del

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes an event, process, or journey that continues without any problems, delays, or unexpected difficulties.

Example

The project had a smooth start, with all the documents ready on time.

collocation: smooth start

Despite the strong wind, the flight was smooth and arrived ten minutes early.

Common collocations
  • smooth start
  • smooth transition
  • smooth process
  • smooth landing
  • smooth operation
  • smooth sailing
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • rough

    as in a rough journey or rough patch

  • bumpy

    informal, common for journeys or processes

Grammar Patterns

smooth + noun

be + smooth

keep + noun + smooth

Common Mistakes

The food was smooth.' (using adj sense 2 for texture).
The sauce was smooth.
sense 2 is for processes, not physical texture.

3. describes a drink or food that has a gentle, pleasant taste with no sharp, sour,

3.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes a drink or food that has a gentle, pleasant taste with no sharp, sour, or bitter notes.

Example

This coffee has a smooth taste with no bitter aftertaste.

collocation: smooth taste

The chocolate mousse was rich and smooth, with a hint of vanilla.

Common collocations
  • smooth taste
  • smooth flavour
  • smooth coffee
  • smooth wine
  • smooth chocolate
Synonyms
  • mild

    less specific about texture, more about low intensity

  • mellow

    suggests aged or well-developed flavour

Antonyms
  • bitter

    the most common opposite for drinks like coffee

  • sour

    common opposite for sauces and wines

  • sharp

    describes an unpleasant strong taste

Grammar Patterns

taste/feel/look + smooth

smooth + noun

Usage Note

Commonly used for coffee, chocolate, wine, whisky, sauces, and other foods where bitterness or acidity might be a problem.

4. describes someone who behaves in a charming and confident way, but seems dishone

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes someone who behaves in a charming and confident way, but seems dishonest or does not mean what they say.

Example

Soraya found the salesman so smooth that she did not trust a single word he said.

Imran recognised the smooth talk of someone who wanted to sell him something.

collocation: smooth talk

Common collocations
  • smooth talk
  • smooth talker
  • smooth manner
  • smooth operator
  • smooth salesman
  • smooth compliments
Synonyms
  • slick

    more informal, suggests cleverness in a dishonest way

  • suave

    can be neutral or positive, less negative than this sense of 'smooth'

  • glib

    focuses on speaking too easily without sincerity

Antonyms
  • sincere

    the direct opposite in intent

  • genuine

    describes natural, honest behaviour

Grammar Patterns

smooth + noun

be + smooth

Usage Note

Almost always negative — describes charm that feels calculated rather than natural. Often used for salespeople, politicians, or anyone trying to persuade for personal gain.

Common Mistakes

He is a smooth teacher.' (neutral compliment).
He is a smooth talker.
without 'talker', the word sounds like a compliment, but this sense is critical.
Idioms

be smooth/clear sailing

idiom

A situation that is easy and has no problems.

After the first week, the project was smooth sailing for Maya.

Was the exam clear sailing for you, Diego?

smooth — verb

smooth — noun

Word family

  • smoothly
    adverbB1
  • smoothness
    nounB2
  • smoothie
    nounA2
  • smooth-talking
    adjectiveB2
  • smoothen
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe surfaces that lack roughness, but they differ in what kind of surface quality they highlight. 'Smooth' is the most general word — it simply means no bumps, lumps, or roughness, and works for almost any material (glass, skin, road, water). 'Even' focuses on levelness: a floor can be even without being smooth (e.g. a brushed concrete floor). 'Flat' adds the idea of no slope or curve — a lake can be smooth but not perfectly flat if it has gentle waves. 'Silky' is narrower, describing a soft, fine texture like silk fabric or well-conditioned hair. 'Sleek' adds the idea of polished, glossy appearance, often on hair, cars, or animal coats. A 'sleek' surface is always smooth, but a smooth surface may not be sleek — a smooth wooden floor is not described as sleek unless it has a high-gloss finish.

smooth ↗even ↗flat ↗silkysleek ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'smooth' comes from Old English 'smōþ', which meant 'having an even surface, free from roughness'. It is related to Old Saxon 'smōthi' and Old High German 'smuan' (to rub or polish). The figurative meanings — 'free from difficulty' and 'pleasant in manner' — developed in Middle English, around the 13th–14th centuries. The verb form appeared around the same period, first meaning 'to make smooth' and later extending to 'remove difficulties' by the 17th century.