1 A2 neutral
To remove wrinkles, bumps, or unevenness from a physical surface.
"She smoothed out the map on the table so they could read it properly."
separable
smooth out
B1 neutral separable transitive
To remove wrinkles or unevenness from a surface, or to resolve minor difficulties to make something run more easily.
In plain English
To make something flat and even, or to fix small problems so things go more smoothly.
What does "smooth out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To resolve minor problems or difficulties so that a process or relationship runs more easily.
"The two teams met to smooth out any remaining issues before the product launch."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
To make fluctuations or variations more gradual and even over time.
"The new policy is designed to smooth out the peaks and troughs in seasonal employment."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To smooth a surface so that bumps or folds are no longer raised but spread out flat.
Actually means
To make something flat and even, or to fix small problems so things go more smoothly.
Usage tip
Very common in both literal and figurative senses. The figurative use ('smooth out the kinks') is extremely common in business and project management language. Also used in aviation and driving to describe a steady, even movement.
Words that pair with "smooth out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wrinkles differences problems kinks process transition
How to conjugate "smooth out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
smooth out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
smooths out
he/she/it
Past simple
smoothed out
yesterday
Past participle
smoothed out
have + pp
-ing form
smoothing out
continuous
Hear "smooth out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "smooth out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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