smooth

Everyday

1. Smooth means flat and even, with no rough parts, bumps or holes. tree →
2. Smooth means moving without sudden jolts, like a smooth ride. tree →
3. A smooth liquid or mixture has no lumps. tree →
4. To smooth something means to make it flat or even with your hand. tree →

In the lessons

In science, smooth surfaces like glass and ice have less friction than rough ones like sandpaper, so things slide further on them; materials can be sorted into rough and smooth. In everyday life, stones in a river become smooth because water wears them down; in cooking, «stir until smooth» means no lumps. In art, «smooth» lines and blending. In safety, smooth wet floors are slippery. In stories, a «smooth» talker can be charming but tricky.

Examples

• The glass felt cold and smooth. tree →
• Stones in the river are smooth and round. tree →
• Stir the batter until it's smooth. tree →
• The toy car went furthest on the smooth floor. tree →
• It was a smooth flight with no bumps. tree →
• She smoothed the creases out of her dress. tree →
• Smooth surfaces have less friction than rough ones. tree →
• The sea was as smooth as glass. tree →

Note

The «th» is like in «this»: «smoothe» is not a correct spelling for the adjective (the verb is usually also «smooth»). Opposite «rough» or «bumpy». A smoothie is a thick blended fruit drink. In science experiments, «smooth» means less friction.

In Jewish tradition

In the Tanakh smooth means without hair or roughness, as with Jacob's skin. It is also used for words: smooth, oily speech means flattering and tricking talk. Ezekiel speaks of "smooth divination," false and pleasing predictions that will end.

Interpretation. The tradition reads smooth speech as a warning against flatterers and false prophets, whose pleasant words hide harm.

Examples

• And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother: 'Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. (Torah GEN.27.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck. (Torah GEN.27.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• For the lips of a strange woman drop honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; (Writings PRO.5.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the alien woman that maketh smooth her words; (Writings PRO.2.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• For there shall be no more any vain vision nor smooth divination within the house of Israel. (Prophets EZK.12.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

The «th» is like in «this»: «smoothe» is not a correct spelling for the adjective (the verb is usually also «smooth»). Opposite «rough» or «bumpy». A smoothie is a thick blended fruit drink. In science experiments, «smooth» means less friction.