What does smoothening mean?
Smoothening means making a surface, material, texture, or course of action smoother, softer, more even, or more polished. As an adjective, it commonly describes an effect, process, or action: a smoothening effect on the skin, for example, or a smoothening treatment applied to wood. The word can also convey figuratively the reduction of conflict, roughness, or difficulty, although this use is less common than the literal one. In most modern English, “smoothing” is the preferred form, while “smoothening” sounds unusual and may attract attention. Even so, it is readily understood and derives naturally from “smooth.” The word is especially useful when describing something that reduces friction or harshness, whether physically or metaphorically, while distinguishing a quality or function from the act of performing the process.
adjectiveHaving the effect of making something smoother or more polished. The word is an uncommon variant of the more usual form “smoothing.”
- Serving to make something smoother, more even, or more polished.
"The smoothening effect of the polish softened the wood's appearance."
"Repeated sanding provided a smoothening finish to the tabletop."
"The device has a smoothening action that reduces friction between the moving parts."
Although “smoothening” looks like a separate word, it is simply a less common spelling of “smoothing.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smoothening come from?
The word derives from the English adjective “smooth,” which comes from Old English “smōþ,” meaning smooth or polished and originally associated with an even or unbroken surface. The present participle “smoothening” preserves the root of “smooth” with the suffix “-en” and the inflection “-ing.” It is a parallel form of the more common “smoothing,” rather than an independent lexical formation with a separate meaning.
How smoothening is actually used
This form is uncommon; “smoothing” is normally preferred in contemporary English. It is chiefly used adjectivally or as the present participle of “smoothen,” a verb that is itself less common than “smooth.”