Meaning & use
smoothed
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“smoothed” is a form of “smooth”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Past form of smooth: made a surface flat and even by pressing or rubbing it.
Grammar: Takes an object: she smoothed the sheet.
Patterns
- smooth something
- smooth something down
She smoothed the tablecloth with both hands.
He smoothed the wet cement with a flat tool.
The carpenter smoothed the board until it felt soft.
verbtransitivefigurative
Past form of smooth: made something easier or less difficult by removing problems.
Grammar: Takes an object, often with the way or path: smoothed the way.
Patterns
- smooth the way for something
- smooth something over
A friendly phone call smoothed the way for the deal.
She smoothed over the argument before the guests arrived.
The new rules smoothed the process for applicants.
Common combinations
- smoothed the way
- A kind word smoothed the way for the talks.
- smoothed over
- The manager smoothed over the dispute.
- smoothed down
- He smoothed down his hair before the photo.
- smoothed out
- She smoothed out the wrinkles in the cloth.
- smoothed his hair
- He smoothed his hair and walked in.
Synonyms and how they differ
- flattened
- Suggests making something lower or flat by pressure, while smoothed focuses on removing roughness.
- eased
- Is used for problems or pain and not for surfaces.
- ironed out
- Is used for removing creases or problems, but sounds more deliberate and practical.
Opposites
Word family
- smooth verb
- to make even or free of roughness
- smooth adjective
- having an even surface without bumps
- smoothly adverb
- in an even, easy way
- smoothness noun
- the quality of being smooth
Commonly confused: smoothed or soothed?
smoothed vs soothed
Soothed means calmed or comforted, as when you soothed a crying baby, while smoothed means made even.
Practice
She ___ the wrinkles out of the bedsheet before the guests arrived.
Choose one answer.
Smoothed means made flat and even. Soothed means calmed, and smothered means covered or suffocated, which sound similar but do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “smoothed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.