Definition

Noun: 1. A conspicuous success; something that is very popular or impressive: A person or thing that achieves great success, popularity, or impact, often suddenly or spectacularly. 2. A very attractive or seductive-looking person (informal, dated): Used to describe someone, typically a woman, who is considered extremely good-looking. 3. A person who smashes something: Someone who breaks or destroys things, often deliberately.

Usage and Examples

• As a conspicuous success:
  • The new superhero movie is a box-office smasher.
  • Her debut novel was a critical and commercial smasher.
• As a very attractive person (informal):
  • He was completely captivated by the smasher he met at the party. (Note: This usage is now somewhat old-fashioned.)
• As a person who smashes:
  • The vandal was identified as the smasher of the shop windows.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• The first meaning (conspicuous success) is the most common in modern usage. It is often used in entertainment and business contexts to describe a hit song, film, show, or product.
• The second meaning (attractive person) is considered informal slang and is less common in contemporary English. Its use can sometimes sound dated or overly colloquial.
• The third meaning is more literal and descriptive, directly relating to the verb "to smash."

Variants and Related Words

• Smash (verb/noun): To break violently; a great success. (e.g., , ).
• Smashing (adjective, informal, chiefly British): Excellent, wonderful. (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• For "conspicuous success": hit, success, winner, blockbuster, triumph.
• For "attractive person": beauty, knockout (slang), stunner (informal).
• For "person who smashes": breaker, destroyer, shatterer.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• A real smasher: An emphatic phrase used to describe something as an outstanding success. (e.g., )

Noun

1. a conspicuous success
   • that song was his first hit and marked the beginning of his career
   • that new Broadway show is a real smasher
   • the party went with a bang
2. a very attractive or seductive looking woman
3. a person who smashes something