What does smashing mean?
“Smashing” is an informal adjective meaning excellent, impressive, or highly successful. It is especially common in phrases such as “a smashing success” and “a smashing performance,” where it conveys enthusiastic approval more warmly than a neutral description would. The word can also describe a forceful impact or destructive action: a “smashing blow” lands with great force, while a “smashing victory” can suggest overwhelming triumph. In this older or more forceful sense, the adjective may appear in formal writing about sport, conflict, noise, or destruction. As a verb form, “smashing” is the present participle of “smash,” as in “the team went on smashing every opponent.” Its evolution from language of violent impact into casual praise gives the modern positive sense a memorable mixture of energy and exaggeration.
Informally, very good, successful, or impressive; also forcefully destructive or involving a powerful impact.
"The team celebrated a smashing victory."
The positive sense is informal and common in British and American speech.
The present participle of “smash,” meaning to strike or break something forcefully, or to defeat it emphatically.
"The boxer went on smashing his opponent with powerful punches."
This is a verb form rather than a separate lexicalized verb.
Once reserved for violent impacts, “smashing” became an enthusiastic way to praise anything from a speech to a sandwich.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smashing come from?
The word is formed by adding the present-participle suffix “-ing” to “smash,” a verb associated with a violent or forceful impact. In modern English, the participial adjective developed the additional informal sense of “excellent” or “outstanding.” “Smash” also gave rise to forms and compounds such as “smash-up” and the adverb “smashingly,” sharing the same basic word.
How smashing is actually used
The positive sense is informal and especially associated with British English, though it is also understood in American English. The impact-related senses are more formal or descriptive and can suggest something powerful, violent, or spectacularly noisy.
Easily confused with smashing
“Smashing” can mean excellent or describe a forceful impact, while “smashed” most often means destroyed, crushed, or informally intoxicated.