What does smoothing mean?
Smoothing describes the process of making something smooth, even, or less irregular. It can refer literally to rubbing, polishing, or leveling a surface, as in smoothing a wooden table before painting it. Figuratively, the word can mean reducing tension or making an unpleasant situation seem less difficult, especially in the expression "smoothing over" a disagreement. In data analysis, smoothing refers to reducing short-term fluctuations so that a broader pattern can be identified. The word is generally neutral, but descriptions of people or organizations smoothing over problems may imply that genuine difficulties are being concealed rather than addressed. Smoothing is also the present participle of the verb "smooth," as in a sentence describing someone smoothing a sheet of paper.
The process or result of making something smooth, even, or less irregular.
"Careful smoothing gave the clay an even surface."
The act of calming, softening, or concealing difficulty or conflict.
"The meeting was devoted to smoothing over tensions between the two departments."
To make something smooth, or to reduce irregularities or roughness in it.
"She was smoothing the dough with the back of her hands."
To calm or soften a situation, or to make a difficulty seem less serious.
"The diplomat was smoothing over the disagreement between the two governments."
The plural is occasionally used for separate acts or instances of smoothing, especially in technical or descriptive writing.
"The technician made several smoothings of the metal surface before the final finish."
In data analysis, smoothing makes a noisy series easier to read by reducing sharp fluctuations—but it can also conceal meaningful details.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does smoothing come from?
The word is formed from "smooth" by adding the present-participle and verbal-noun ending -ing. "Smooth" comes through Middle English from Old English "smōth," an inherited Germanic word meaning free from roughness. The English family also includes "smoothly," "smoother," and related forms; the modern verb senses developed from the older idea of making a surface even and then broadened figuratively to calming or softening difficulties.
Related word forms
How smoothing is actually used
Smoothing is neutral in general use. In figurative contexts, especially "smoothing over" something, it can suggest concealing a problem or difficulty rather than genuinely resolving it. In statistics and related fields, "smoothing" is a technical term for reducing short-term variation in data.
Easily confused with smoothing
Smooth is the base adjective and verb, while smoothing is the noun naming the process or the present participle of the verb.