Smoothen vs. Smooth: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 24, 2024
"Smoothen" means to make something smooth or smoother, implying a process or action, while "smooth" refers to the state of being even or without roughness, and can be an adjective or verb.
Key Differences
"Smoothen" is a verb meaning to make something smooth or smoother. It implies a process or action of removing roughness or irregularities. "Smooth," on the other hand, can function both as an adjective and a verb. As an adjective, it describes a surface that is even and without roughness, such as a smooth road or a smooth piece of fabric.
In usage, "smoothen" is less common and more formal or technical. It specifically highlights the process of making something smooth. Conversely, "smooth" is widely used in everyday language, both in describing a state and in the action of making something smooth, making it more versatile in common contexts.
Grammatically, "smoothen" is exclusively a verb and often appears in contexts emphasizing the act of smoothing. "Smooth," however, can be an adjective, as in "a smooth surface," or a verb, as in "to smooth the wrinkles out of a shirt." This dual role makes "smooth" more flexible in its application.
In technical or scientific contexts, "smoothen" might be preferred for clarity and precision. For everyday communication, "smooth" is generally sufficient and more familiar to most English speakers, serving both descriptive and action-oriented purposes.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Adjective and Verb
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Usage Frequency
Less common
More common
Formality
More formal/technical
More versatile/everyday
Example Verb
"He smoothened the concrete."
"She smoothed the fabric."
Example Adjective
N/A
"The surface is smooth."
Smoothen and Smooth Definitions
Smoothen
To even out surfaces.
You need to smoothen the plaster before it dries.
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Smooth
Easy and flowing in manner.
His smooth presentation impressed everyone.
Smoothen
To reduce roughness.
The carpenter smoothened the wood before painting.
Smooth
Having a surface free from irregularities, roughness, or projections; even.
Smoothen
To make something smooth.
They smoothened the road for a better driving experience.
Smooth
Free from waves or disturbances; calm
The lake is smooth today.
Smoothen
To enhance smoothness.
This lotion will smoothen your skin.
Smooth
Free from hair, whiskers, or stubble
Felt his smooth cheek after the close shave.
Smoothen
To make or become smooth.
Smooth
Having a short dense flat coat. Used of dogs.
Smoothen
(transitive) To make smooth.
Smooth
Having a fine texture
A smooth fabric.
Smoothen
(intransitive) To become smooth.
Smooth
Having an even consistency
A smooth pudding.
Smoothen
To make smooth.
Smooth
Having an even or gentle motion or movement
A smooth ride.
Smoothen
Make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing;
Smooth the surface of the wood
Smooth
Having no obstructions or difficulties
A smooth operation.
A smooth trip.
Smoothen
(of surfaces) make shine;
Shine the silver, please
Polish my shoes
Smooth
Easy-going; serene
A smooth temperament.
Smoothen
Become smooth
Smooth
Not sharp or bitter in taste
A smooth wine.
Smoothen
To eliminate bumps or irregularities.
He used a roller to smoothen the paint.
Smooth
Delicately pleasing to the ear; not harsh or grating
A smooth voice.
Smooth
Ingratiatingly polite and agreeable
Known for his smooth remarks.
Smooth
To make (something) even, level, or unwrinkled
Smoothed the fabric with an iron.
Smooth
To rid of obstructions, hindrances, or difficulties
A real estate agent who smoothed the process of applying for a mortgage.
Smooth
To soothe or tranquilize; make calm
The president tried to smooth over the hurt feelings of the disputing factions.
Smooth
To cause to appear less harsh or severe than is the case
Don't try to smooth over their faults.
Smooth
To become smooth.
Smooth
The act of smoothing.
Smooth
A smooth surface or part.
Smooth
Having a texture that lacks friction. Not rough.
Smooth
Without difficulty, problems, or unexpected consequences or incidents.
We hope for a smooth transition to the new system.
Smooth
Bland; glib.
Smooth
Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; fluent.
Smooth
Suave; sophisticated.
Smooth
(of an action) Natural; unconstrained.
Smooth
(of a motion) Unbroken.
Smooth
Placid, calm.
Smooth
(of an edge) Lacking projections or indentations; not serrated.
Smooth
(of food or drink) Not grainy; having an even texture.
Smooth
(of a beverage) Having a pleasantly rounded flavor; neither rough nor astringent.
Smooth
Having derivatives of all finite orders at all points within the function’s domain.
Smooth
That factors completely into small prime numbers.
Smooth
Lacking marked aspiration.
Smooth
Involuntary and non-striated.
Smooth
Smoothly.
Smooth
Something that is smooth, or that goes smoothly and easily.
Smooth
A smoothing action.
Smooth
A domestic animal having a smooth coat.
Smooth
A member of an anti-hippie fashion movement in 1970s Britain.
Smooth
(statistics) The analysis obtained through a smoothing procedure.
Smooth
(transitive) To make smooth or even.
Smooth
(transitive) To reduce to a particular shape or form by pressure; to press, to flatten.
To smooth cloth with a smoothing iron
Smooth
(transitive) To make straightforward or easy.
Smooth
(transitive) To calm or palliate.
To smooth a person's temper
Smooth
To capture important patterns in the data, while leaving out noise.
Smooth
(West Country) To stroke; especially to stroke an animal's fur.
Can I smooth your cat?
Smooth
Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain.
The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities.
Smooth
Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.
Smooth
Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.
Smooth
Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent.
The only smooth poet of those times.
Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to joinThe varying verse, the full-resounding line.
When sage Minerva rose,From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows.
Smooth
Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering.
This smooth discourse and mild behavior oftConceal a traitor.
Smooth
Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless.
Smooth
Smoothly.
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.
Smooth
The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths.
Smooth
That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything.
Smooth
To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron.
Smooth
To free from obstruction; to make easy.
Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay,And smooth my passage to the realms of day.
Smooth
To free from harshness; to make flowing.
In their motions harmony divineSo smooths her charming tones that God's own earListens delighted.
Smooth
To palliate; to gloze; as, to smooth over a fault.
Smooth
To give a smooth or calm appearance to.
Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm.
Smooth
To ease; to regulate.
Smooth
To flatter; to use blandishment.
Because I can not flatter and speak fair,Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog.
Smooth
The act of smoothing;
He gave his hair a quick smooth
Smooth
Make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing;
Smooth the surface of the wood
Smooth
(of surfaces) make shine;
Shine the silver, please
Polish my shoes
Smooth
Free from obstructions;
Smooth the way towards peace negociations
Smooth
Having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities;
Smooth skin
A smooth tabletop
Smooth fabric
A smooth road
Water as smooth as a mirror
Smooth
Smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication;
He was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage
The hostess averted a confrontation between two guests with a diplomatic change of subject
The manager pacified the customer with a smooth apology for the error
Affable, suave, moderate men...smugly convinced of their respectability
Smooth
Of the margin of a leaf shape; not broken up into teeth
Smooth
Not marked with wrinkles;
Unwrinkled cheeks
Smooth
Smooth and unconstrained in movement;
A long, smooth stride
The fluid motion of a cat
The liquid grace of a ballerina
Liquid prose
Smooth
Without breaks between notes; smooth and connected;
A legato passage
Smooth
Without chinks or crannies
Smooth
Lacking obstructions or difficulties;
The bill's path through the legislature was smooth and orderly
Smooth
Having an even and regular surface.
The smooth marble was cold to the touch.
Smooth
To make something even and free of roughness.
She smoothed her dress before the meeting.
Smooth
To reduce friction or irregularities.
He used sandpaper to smooth the edges.
Smooth
Free from difficulty or problems.
The project went smoothly.
FAQs
What does "smoothen" mean?
"Smoothen" means to make something smooth or smoother.
Is "smoothen" only a verb?
Yes, "smoothen" is exclusively a verb.
Can "smooth" be used as a verb?
Yes, "smooth" can be used as a verb meaning to make something smooth.
What is an example of "smooth" as an adjective?
"The ice was smooth enough for skating."
Can "smooth" describe a person's manner?
Yes, "smooth" can describe a manner that is easy and flowing.
Does "smoothen" imply a process?
Yes, "smoothen" implies the process of making something smooth.
Is "smoothen" used in everyday conversation?
No, "smoothen" is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
Can "smooth" describe a surface?
Yes, "smooth" can describe a surface that is even and without roughness.
Is "smoothen" suitable for formal writing?
Yes, "smoothen" is suitable for formal writing.
Is "smoothen" a common word?
No, "smoothen" is less common and more formal or technical.
Which is more versatile, "smooth" or "smoothen"?
"Smooth" is more versatile as it can be used both as an adjective and a verb.
What is an example of "smoothen" in a sentence?
"The artist smoothened the clay to prepare it for sculpting."
What is an example of "smooth" as a verb?
"He smoothed the blanket over the bed."
Can "smooth" describe an experience?
Yes, "smooth" can describe an experience free of difficulties.
Can "smooth" be used to describe skin?
Yes, "smooth" can describe skin that is even and without blemishes.
Which term is more technical, "smooth" or "smoothen"?
"Smoothen" is more technical.
Does "smooth" have multiple uses in English?
Yes, "smooth" has multiple uses as both an adjective and a verb.
Is "smooth" appropriate for describing textures?
Yes, "smooth" is appropriate for describing textures.
Is "smoothen" more common in technical contexts?
Yes, "smoothen" is more common in technical contexts.
Does "smoothen" have an adjective form?
No, "smoothen" does not have an adjective form.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
