smoothen
LowInformal, less common
Definition
Meaning
To make something smooth or to become smooth.
To make a process, transition, or surface more even, fluid, or free from difficulties.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used interchangeably with 'smooth' as a verb, but 'smooth' is more frequent and accepted in formal contexts. 'Smoothen' can sound redundant or old-fashioned.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'smoothen' is occasionally used, while in American English, 'smooth' is almost exclusively preferred as the verb.
Connotations
'Smoothen' may imply a more deliberate or gradual action, but it often carries a slightly informal or unnecessary tone.
Frequency
More frequent in British English than American, but still low in both compared to 'smooth'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: smoothen somethingintransitive: something smoothensVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe making operations or negotiations more efficient, e.g., 'smoothen the workflow'.
Academic
Rarely used; preferred terms are 'smooth', 'facilitate', or 'standardize'.
Everyday
Informal contexts, such as 'smoothen your hair' or 'smoothen the icing on a cake'.
Technical
In engineering or cosmetics, to make surfaces even, e.g., 'smoothen the metal before painting'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Can you smoothen this fabric before we cut it?
- He smoothened the plaster on the wall.
American English
- We need to smoothen out the wrinkles in the plan.
- She smoothened the wood with sandpaper.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I smoothen my bed sheets every morning.
- She smoothens her hair with a comb.
- The carpenter will smoothen the table edges.
- They smoothened the road after the repair.
- Our manager helps to smoothen communication between teams.
- The new software aims to smoothen data entry processes.
- Economic policies are designed to smoothen market volatility.
- Advanced techniques are used to smoothen the curve in graphical representations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember 'smoothen' by thinking of 'smooth' with '-en' added, similar to 'widen' or 'shorten', meaning to make smooth.
Conceptual Metaphor
Smoothness represents ease and lack of obstruction; smoothening is the act of removing obstacles or irregularities.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation might lead to using 'smoothen' in formal contexts where 'smooth' is better.
- In Russian, the verb might be directly translated, but in English, 'smooth' is more common and natural.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'smoothen' as an adjective; the correct adjective is 'smooth'.
- Overusing 'smoothen' when 'smooth' would suffice, especially in written English.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'smoothen' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'smoothen' is a word, but it is less common and often considered informal or unnecessary since 'smooth' can be used as a verb.
It is not recommended; instead, use 'smooth' or more precise verbs like 'facilitate', 'even out', or 'standardize'.
In British English, 'smoothen' is pronounced as /ˈsmuːðən/.
No, there are no common idioms specifically using 'smoothen'. It is typically used in straightforward verbal contexts.