Ever seen someone write “smoothe” and wondered if it’s a real word? You’re not alone. The English language is filled with similar-looking words, but not all of them are correct.
Today, we’re diving into a common spelling dilemma: smooth vs. smoothe.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of which word is right, when to use it, and why spelling matters more than you might think.
Let’s smooth out the confusion.
“Smoothe” is not a correct word—smooth is the only standard and accepted spelling in English.
Understanding the Proper Spelling and Use of Smooth
First things first: the correct spelling is always “smooth”—with no “e” at the end.
The word smooth is a legitimate and widely used English word, both as an adjective and a verb. On the other hand, smoothe is not standard English. In most cases, if you see smoothe used, it’s either a typo or a mistaken attempt to sound formal.
✅ Correct: smooth
❌ Incorrect: smoothe
Even tools like Grammarly and Merriam-Webster don’t recognize smoothe as valid. Stick with smooth, and you’re good to go.
Defining Smooth as a Verb and an Adjective
The beauty of smooth lies in its versatility. Let’s break it down:
As an Adjective:
- Describes texture or surface:
“The marble countertop is smooth and shiny.” - Refers to a situation or process being free of difficulty:
“Everything went smoothly during the presentation.” - Can even describe people or behavior:
“He’s a smooth talker.”
As a Verb:
- Means to make something even or free from roughness:
“She smoothed out the wrinkles in the fabric.” - Can also refer to resolving tension or conflict:
“They smoothed things over after the argument.”
This dual use makes smooth a powerful and flexible word in English.
The Correct Conjugations of Smooth
When using smooth as a verb, here’s how it conjugates:
| Tense | Conjugation | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Base Form | smooth | “You need to smooth the surface.” |
| Past Simple | smoothed | “He smoothed the edges with sandpaper.” |
| Past Participle | smoothed | “The conflict was smoothed over.” |
| Present Participle | smoothing | “She’s smoothing her hair before dinner.” |
Notice: there’s no “e” in any of these forms. That’s consistent throughout every tense and usage.
The Common Misconception: Smoothe Revealed
So where did smoothe come from?
Most likely, it’s the result of spelling hypercorrection. Some people mistakenly assume that verbs ending in a hard “th” sound need an “e” to soften the pronunciation—like breathe (verb) vs. breath (noun). But that rule doesn’t apply here.
🧠 Quick Fact: Unlike breathe, smooth doesn’t need an “e” to become a verb. It’s already a verb and adjective without modification.
You might see smoothe pop up in informal writing or even artistic names, but that doesn’t make it correct for standard use.
Exploring the English Language: Smooth vs. Other Similar Words
Let’s compare smooth with a few other words that often cause confusion:
| Word | Correct? | Common Confusion | Proper Usage Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth | ✅ Yes | Smoothe | “The lake’s surface was incredibly smooth.” |
| Smoothe | ❌ No | None | (Not a standard word—avoid using) |
| Smoothen | 🚫 Rare | Verb confusion | “She tried to smoothen the fabric.” (awkward) |
| Breathe | ✅ Yes | Breath | “Take a deep breath and breathe slowly.” |
📝 Smoothen is occasionally used, especially in Indian English, but it’s considered awkward and redundant in American English. Stick with smooth as the verb instead.
Conjugation of Smooth
We already touched on this, but here’s a quick, clear reference you can use any time:
| Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Infinitive | to smooth |
| Present Simple | smooth/smooths |
| Past Simple | smoothed |
| Past Participle | smoothed |
| Present Participle | smoothing |
Remember: no matter how you conjugate it, there’s never an “e” at the end.
Smooth in Action: Examples of Correct Usage in Sentences
To really get a feel for how smooth functions, let’s look at real-world usage:
- As an adjective:
“The road was smooth after it had been repaved.” - As a verb:
“She smoothed the scarf around her neck.” - In an idiom:
“He managed to smooth things over after the disagreement.” - Metaphorically:
“The product launch went off without a hitch—it was smooth sailing.”
These examples make it clear that smooth works across many contexts. Not so for smoothe.
Smoothe and Smoothen: Misuses in Modern Writing
You might stumble across phrases like:
- “He tried to smoothe the table surface.”
- “They smoothened their approach to negotiations.”
Both sound a little off, right? That’s because:
- Smoothe isn’t real.
- Smoothen is technically correct but awkward and largely unnecessary in modern usage.
What Should You Use Instead?
Just smooth. It does the job perfectly. Why complicate what’s already simple?
Ensuring Linguistic Accuracy: The Importance of Correct Spelling in Communication
Why does this even matter?
Using correct spelling and grammar isn’t just about “sounding smart.” It’s about being clear, professional, and credible.
Imagine you’re writing a cover letter or sending an important email. Using smoothe instead of smooth can subtly signal a lack of attention to detail—even if the reader can guess your meaning.
✅ Accurate writing builds trust.
❌ Misspellings can undermine credibility.
Take this advice to heart: when in doubt, double-check your spelling using reliable sources like:
❓ FAQs
What is the correct spelling: smooth or smoothe?
The correct spelling is “smooth”—“smoothe” is not a valid word in standard English.
Is “smoothe” ever acceptable to use?
No, “smoothe” is typically a typo or misunderstanding and should be avoided in professional writing.
What does “smooth” mean as an adjective?
It describes a texture or situation that is even, polished, or without difficulty.
Can “smooth” be used as a verb?
Yes, it means to make something even or resolve a situation peacefully.
Is “smoothen” a correct word?
Technically yes, but it’s rarely used and sounds awkward in modern English—“smooth” works better.
Why is correct spelling like “smooth” important?
Accurate spelling builds trust and professionalism, especially in formal or public communication.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Smooth, Not Smoothe
Let’s wrap this up smoothly (see what we did there?).
There’s only one correct version of the word in standard English: smooth. Whether you’re using it as a verb or an adjective, it works just fine on its own—no “e” needed. Missteps like smoothe and smoothen may look fancy, but they can hurt your credibility.
Key Takeaways:
- Use smooth—never smoothe.
- Smoothen is technically acceptable but sounds awkward in modern English.
- Double-check grammar and spelling to avoid common pitfalls.
Now that you’ve got the facts, go ahead and smooth out your writing like a pro. Have another pair of commonly confused words in mind? Drop them in the comments—we’d love to tackle them next!
