smoothen
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make something smooth or smoother: The primary meaning is to remove roughness, irregularities, or wrinkles from a surface.
- To become smooth: To change from a rough or uneven state to a smooth one.
- To polish or make (a surface) shiny: To give something a glossy, reflective finish by rubbing or applying a substance.
Usage
- Transitive Verb (takes a direct object): Used when an agent performs the action on something else.
- You need to smoothen the wood before painting.
- She smoothened the fabric with an iron.
- Intransitive Verb (does not take a direct object): Used when the subject itself becomes smooth.
- The sea began to smoothen as the wind died down.
- Apply the cream, and your skin will smoothen over time.
Examples
- Making a surface smooth:
- The carpenter used a plane to smoothen the rough edges of the table.
- This cream helps to smoothen fine lines on your face.
- Polishing to a shine:
- Please smoothen the silverware before setting the table for the dinner party.
- He smoothened his leather shoes until he could see his reflection.
- Becoming smooth:
- After the storm passed, the waves gradually smoothened.
- The dough will smoothen as you knead it.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Can be used metaphorically to describe making a process, relationship, or transition easier and without problems.
- The new manager's role is to smoothen the transition between the two departments.
- Diplomats worked to smoothen tensions between the two countries.
Variants and Related Words
- Smooth (verb): A more common verb with a very similar meaning. "Smoothen" is often considered a less frequent variant.
- Smooth the icing on the cake.
- Smooth (adjective): Having an even, regular surface; free from roughness.
- The road was very smooth.
- Smoother (noun): A tool or substance used for smoothing.
- He used a paint smoother on the wall.
Synonyms
- Polish: To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing.
- Even out: To make a surface level or uniform.
- Flatten: To make something flat or smoother by pressing.
- Burnish: To polish by rubbing, especially metal.
Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Smoothen" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The related verb "smooth" is used instead.) - Smooth over: To make problems or disagreements seem less serious, usually by talking politely. - He tried to smooth over the argument before it escalated.
Related Idioms
(Note: Idioms typically use the adjective "smooth," not the verb "smoothen.") - Smooth sailing: A situation that is easy and free from problems. - After the initial difficulties, the project was smooth sailing. - Smooth operator: A person who handles situations, especially social ones, in a clever and effective way. - He's a real smooth operator in business negotiations.
Verb
- become smooth
- make (a surface) shine
- shine the silver, please
- polish my shoes
- make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing
- smooth the surface of the wood