smoothie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal
Quick answer
What does “smoothie” mean?
A thick, cold drink made by blending fruit, yogurt, milk, or juice, often with added supplements like protein powder.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thick, cold drink made by blending fruit, yogurt, milk, or juice, often with added supplements like protein powder.
A person, especially a man, who is charming, confident, and persuasive in a way that can seem insincere or manipulative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The drink is equally common in both varieties. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, the 'person' meaning is somewhat old-fashioned and evocative of mid-20th century slang.
Frequency
The drink meaning is high-frequency in both regions. The 'person' meaning is low-frequency and declining.
Grammar
How to Use “smoothie” in a Sentence
have a [ADJ] smoothieblend [DET] smoothie with [NOUN]order a smoothie from [PLACE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for health food cafes, gyms, and supermarkets (e.g., 'Our new line of probiotic smoothies').
Academic
Rare, except in nutritional or public health studies discussing dietary habits.
Everyday
Very common when discussing breakfast, snacks, or health.
Technical
Used in food science regarding viscosity, emulsion stability, and nutrient retention in blended products.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “smoothie”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “smoothie”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “smoothie”
- Spelling: 'smoothy' (incorrect). Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I smoothied some fruit' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A milkshake is typically based on ice cream and milk, making it a dessert. A smoothie is based on fruit, yogurt, or juice and is marketed as a healthful drink, though it can be high in sugar.
No, 'smoothie' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to blend' or 'to make a smoothie'.
It is understood but is now quite dated and stylised. You might encounter it in historical fiction or describing someone from an older generation.
Juice is extracted from fruit, often removing the pulp and fibre. A smoothie blends the whole fruit or vegetable, retaining all the fibre, which makes it thicker and more filling.
A thick, cold drink made by blending fruit, yogurt, milk, or juice, often with added supplements like protein powder.
Smoothie is usually informal in register.
Smoothie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsmuː.ði/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsmuː.ði/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “smooth operator (related to the 'person' meaning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'smooth' + 'ie' (a common ending for informal nouns, like 'foodie'). A smoothie is a drink that is blended until perfectly smooth.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS LIQUID NOURISHMENT / CHARM IS A SLIPPERY SURFACE (for the person meaning).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'smoothie' in modern English?