Smooth or Smoothe? What Everyone Gets Wrong

Do you ever wonder whether to write smooth or smoothe? Many people confuse these two words because they sound almost the same. However, their meanings and usage are different, and using the wrong one can make your writing look unprofessional.

In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between smooth and smoothe, including their definitions, parts of speech, and real-life examples. You will also learn common mistakes, quick tips to remember them, and practical ways to use them in sentences.

By the end of this article, even beginners will feel confident about using smooth and smoothe correctly. Whether it’s for school, work, or everyday conversations, this guide will make it easy to master these tricky words and avoid embarrassing errors.

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What Does Each Word Mean?

Smooth

Smooth is an adjective, noun, or verb depending on context, but most commonly an adjective. It describes a surface, texture, or process that is even, flat, or free of bumps.

Examples:

1. The table has a smooth surface.
2. She has smooth skin.
3. The road is smooth after the repair.

Think of smooth as describing how something feels or looks. It’s about flatness or evenness.

Smoothe

Smoothe is a verb. It means to make something smooth, usually by rubbing, pressing, or softening. It’s the action of creating smoothness.

Examples:

1. He tried to smoothe the wrinkles in his shirt.
2. The artist smoothed the clay with her hands.
3. She used a brush to smoothe the frosting on the cake.

Remember: smoothe is the action; smooth is the state.

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The Key Difference Between Smooth and Smoothe

Feature	Smooth	Smoothe
Part of Speech	Adjective, Noun, Verb	Verb
Meaning	Even, flat, soft, free from bumps	To make something smooth
Usage	Describes a state	Describes an action
Example Sentence	The table is smooth.	She smoothed the table surface.
Quick Tip	Think smooth surface	Think smoothe it out

Quick Tip: If you’re describing how something is, use smooth. If you’re describing what someone is doing to make it flat or even, use smoothe.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Incorrect: She smoothed skin feels great.
   Correct: Her smooth skin feels great.
   Why: You need the adjective to describe the noun “skin.”
2. Incorrect: He tried to make the table smooth.
   Correct: He tried to smoothe the table.
   Why: The action requires the verb smoothe, not the adjective.
3. Incorrect: I like to smoothe chocolate before eating.
   Correct: I like to smoothe chocolate before decorating.
   Why: Ensure smoothe is used only as an action.

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When to Use Smooth

Use smooth when talking about the state or condition of something.

Examples:

1. The chocolate has a smooth texture.
2. He has a smooth way of speaking.
3. The road is smooth after the rain.
4. The fabric feels smooth to touch.
5. The surface is smooth, perfect for painting.

Tip: If you can replace the word with even, soft, or flat, smooth is usually correct.

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When to Use Smoothe

Use smoothe when talking about the action of making something smooth.

Examples:

1. She smoothed the paper to remove the creases.
2. He gently smoothed the blanket over the bed.
3. The chef smoothed the icing on the cake.
4. She smoothed her hair after the wind messed it up.
5. He smoothed out his wrinkles before the meeting.

Memory Hack: Think smoothe = action. If you are doing something to fix or flatten it, that’s your clue.

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Quick Recap: Smooth vs Smoothe

• Smooth: adjective/noun/verb describing the state of evenness or softness.
• Smoothe: verb meaning the action of making something smooth.
• Rule of Thumb: smooth = how it is, smoothe = what you do.
• Use examples in daily life like skin, roads, chocolate, clothes, hair, or clay.
• Quick memory: s-m-o-o-t-h-e = action with hands or tools.

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Advanced Tips

• Smooth comes from Old English smōð, meaning even or level.
• Smoothe is a later variant, used primarily in British English, meaning “to make smooth.”
• In formal writing, essays, or exams, using the correct word shows precision.
• Online or texting: Using smooth instead of smoothe can confuse readers about whether you mean a state or an action.

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Mini Quiz

Fill in the blanks with smooth or smoothe:

1. She tried to ______ the wrinkles in her shirt.
2. The chocolate cake has a ______ texture.
3. He gently ______ the blanket over the bed.
4. The road is very ______ after repairs.
5. I need to ______ the frosting before decorating.
6. The fabric feels soft and ______.
7. Can you ______ out the paper so it’s flat?

Answers: 1. smoothe | 2. smooth | 3. smoothe | 4. smooth | 5. smoothe | 6. smooth | 7. smoothe

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FAQs

1. Can “smooth” be used as a verb?
Yes, but it’s less common. Typically, use smoothe for the action of making something even.

2. Are “smoothe” and “smooth” interchangeable?
No. Smooth describes the state; smoothe describes the action.

3. Is “smoothe” American or British English?
It’s mostly British English. American English often uses smooth as the verb.

4. How do I remember the difference quickly?
Think: smooth = state, smoothe = action.

5. Can I use “smooth” in cooking or baking?
Yes, when describing the texture. Use smoothe when performing the action of making it smooth.

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Conclusion

Now you know the difference between smooth and smoothe. Smooth describes the state of being even, soft, or flat, while smoothe is the action of making something smooth. By remembering this simple rule — smooth = how it is, smoothe = what you do — you can avoid common mistakes and write with confidence.

Practice by looking for opportunities in daily life, like clothes, food, hair, or roads, and use the correct word in sentences. With consistent practice, these confusing words will become second nature. Every small effort improves your English, making your writing and speech more accurate and polished. Keep learning, and soon, you’ll master these subtle differences effortlessly.