26984 words

smooth

13 definitions • 25 examples
1
having a surface or consisting of a substance that is perfectly regular and has no holes, lumps, or areas that rise or fall suddenly:

Examples:

This custard is deliciously smooth and creamy.
Mix together the butter and sugar until smooth.
The road ahead was flat and smooth.
This moisturizer will help to keep your skin smooth.
2

Examples:

We had a very smooth flight with no turbulence at all.
An efficient transport system is vital to the smooth running of a country's economy.
3
having a pleasant flavour that is not sour or bitter:

Examples:

This coffee is incredibly smooth and rich.
4
very polite, confident, and able to persuade people, but in a way that is not sincere:

Examples:

The deputy director is so smooth that many of his colleagues distrust him.
In job interviews, the successful candidates tend to be the smooth talkers who know exactly how to make the right impression.
5
to move your hands across something in order to make it flat:

Examples:

He straightened his tie nervously and smoothed (down) his hair.
6
to remove difficulties and make something easier to do or achieve:

Examples:

We encourage parents to help smooth their children's way through school.
We must do more to smooth the country's path to democratic reform.
7
to cover the surface of something with a liquid or soft substance, using gentle rubbing movements:

Examples:

Pour some oil into the palm of your hand and then smooth it over your arms and neck.
8
having a surface or substance that is perfectly regular and has no holes or lumps or areas that rise or fall suddenly:

Examples:

a smooth surface
Mix together the butter and sugar until smooth.
The baby’s skin is so smooth!
9

Examples:

a smooth ride/flight
The bill had a smooth passage through both houses of Congress.
10
polite, confident, and persuasive, esp. in a way that lacks sincerity:

Examples:

I trust an honest face more than a smooth talker.
11
to remove difficulties and make something easier to do:

Examples:

We must do more to smooth the country’s path to democratic reform.
12
to make something perfectly flat or regular:

Examples:

Use fine sandpaper to smooth the surface before varnishing.
She smoothed the wrinkles from her skirt.
13
in statistics, to change very high and very low numbers in a series in order to show the main direction of the series more clearly:

Examples:

We've smoothed these figures so that you can see the overall picture more easily.

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