smoothness
The smoothness of the fabric made it pleasant to touch.
The fabric felt nice because it had no rough or uneven spots.
The quality of having an even and regular surface or texture; free from perceptible projections, lumps, or indentations.
The smoothness of the marble floor reflected the light beautifully.
The marble floor had no bumps or rough spots, making it shine.
She admired the smoothness of the silk dress.
The silk dress felt exceptionally soft and even to the touch.
Often used in contexts involving texture, movement, or transitions (e.g., smoothness of motion in machinery or smoothness of a process).
The quality of being free from difficulties, problems, or sudden changes; effortless.
The smoothness of the transaction impressed the customer.
The transaction went through without any issues or delays.
He handled the meeting with remarkable smoothness.
He conducted the meeting without any awkward moments or disruptions.
Commonly used to describe processes, operations, or social interactions that flow without interruption.
In music or audio, the quality of sound that is free from harsh or jarring elements; melodic and pleasing.
The smoothness of the violin's tone was breathtaking.
The violin produced a rich, flowing sound without any abrupt or unpleasant notes.
Used in audio engineering to describe the absence of distortion or abrupt changes in sound.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Don't pair 'smoothness' with vague adjectives like 'very' or 'extremely'—smoothness is already an absolute quality. Instead, use precise descriptors: 'silky smoothness' or 'glass-like smoothness'.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'smoothness' for physical textures (e.g., 'the smoothness of the pebble') or abstract flow (e.g., 'the smoothness of the negotiation'). Avoid using it for emotional states (e.g., not 'the smoothness of her mood').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'smooth' (meaning 'free from roughness') + '-ness' (suffix forming abstract nouns). The Old English root is 'smōth' (smooth), of Germanic origin, related to Dutch 'smoord' and German 'schmoren' (to stew, implying softness).
Usage Notes
Smoothness can describe both physical textures (e.g., surfaces) and abstract qualities (e.g., processes or social interactions). Avoid overusing it in formal writing unless describing a literal texture; opt for 'efficiency' or 'fluidity' in abstract contexts.