Smoothe vs. Smoothen – Which is Correct?

The correct verb form to use when meaning “to make something smooth” is smoothen. While “smoothe” can occasionally appear as an archaic or poetic variant of the verb “smooth,” it is largely considered non-standard or a misspelling in contemporary English. Always opt for “smoothen” or simply “smooth” as a verb for clarity and correctness.

Smoothe or Smoothen – Which is Correct?

The primary distinction between “smoothe” and “smoothen” lies in their acceptance within modern standard English. Smoothen is a widely recognized and correctly formed verb, meaning “to make smooth or even.” It is commonly used in various contexts, from refining surfaces to easing transitions. Conversely, “smoothe” is generally considered an archaic or poetic variant of the verb “smooth,” and in most contemporary writing and speech, it would be marked as incorrect or non-standard. The confusion often stems from the adjective “smooth” being used as a verb itself (e.g., “to smooth out wrinkles”), and “smoothe” attempts to create a verb form that isn’t widely accepted.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think of the common verb suffix -en, which often means “to make” or “to become.” Examples include widen (to make wide), lighten (to make light), and sharpen (to make sharp). Just like these, smoothen means “to make smooth.” The word “smoothe” lacks this common verb-forming suffix and simply looks like an altered spelling of the adjective “smooth,” which is why it feels less natural and is considered incorrect in most modern usage.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Smoothe	Verb (Archaic/Non-standard)	To make smooth (rarely used, generally considered incorrect in modern English)	(Best avoided; use “smooth” or “smoothen” instead.)
Smoothen	Verb	To make smooth or even; to remove roughness or unevenness	She used a file to smoothen the rough edges of the wood.

How to Use Smoothe

While “smoothe” might occasionally appear in very old texts, poetry, or highly informal contexts, it is not considered standard English. As a verb, it is largely considered archaic, a misspelling, or a non-standard variant of “smooth.” Modern dictionaries typically do not list “smoothe” as a valid contemporary verb. Therefore, the recommendation is to avoid using “smoothe” altogether in professional, academic, or any form of standard communication. If your intent is to express the action of making something smooth, use “smooth” or “smoothen” instead.

Example 1 (Incorrect Usage): The artist tried to smoothe the clay. (Better: The artist tried to smooth the clay.)

Example 2 (Incorrect Usage): Can you smoothe out the wrinkles in this fabric? (Better: Can you smooth out the wrinkles in this fabric?)

Example 3 (Incorrect Usage): We need to smoothe the transition between departments. (Better: We need to smoothen the transition between departments.)

What are the different forms of Smoothe?

Because “smoothe” is not a standard verb in modern English, its conjugation is largely irrelevant for practical use. However, if one were to treat it as a regular verb based on its historical or poetic usage, its forms would typically be:

• Present Tense: smoothe (I smoothe, you smoothe, they smoothe)
• Third Person Singular Present: smoothes (he/she/it smoothes)
• Present Participle: smoothing (rarely used as “smootheing”)
• Past Tense: smoothed
• Past Participle: smoothed

Again, it is crucial to reiterate that these forms are based on a non-standard verb and should not be actively used in contemporary writing.

Etymology of the word Smoothe

The word “smoothe” is an older, less common variant of the verb “smooth.” The verb “smooth” itself derives from the Old English word smōth (adjective), meaning “soft, polished, free from roughness.” Over time, the adjective “smooth” naturally evolved into a verb meaning “to make smooth.” The “-e” ending in “smoothe” is likely a remnant of older English spelling conventions or an attempt to differentiate the verb from the adjective, similar to how “bathe” is a verb form of “bath,” but this particular form did not gain widespread acceptance for “smooth.”

How to Use Smoothen

“Smoothen” is a perfectly valid and commonly used verb in modern English. It means “to make smooth, even, or free from bumps or roughness.” It can be applied literally to physical objects or metaphorically to processes and situations. The word is particularly useful when you want to emphasize the action of making something smooth, often implying a process or effort.

Example 1: The architect suggested using a special plaster to smoothen the wall before painting.

Example 2: To smoothen the transition for new employees, we’ve implemented a comprehensive onboarding program.

Example 3: She carefully used a brush to smoothen out the icing on the cake, creating a perfect finish.

What are the different forms of Smoothen?

“Smoothen” is a regular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms are created by adding “-ed.”

• Present Tense: smoothen (I smoothen, you smoothen, they smoothen)
• Third Person Singular Present: smoothens (he/she/it smoothens)
• Present Participle: smoothening
• Past Tense: smoothened
• Past Participle: smoothened

Etymology of the word Smoothen

The word “smoothen” is a relatively newer formation compared to the verb “smooth.” It is formed by adding the common English verb-forming suffix “-en” to the adjective “smooth.” This suffix, derived from Old English, is used to form verbs from adjectives, often indicating “to make” or “to become” (e.g., darken, fasten, harden). This makes “smoothen” a clear and unambiguous verb form meaning “to make smooth.” It gained popularity as a distinct verb form to emphasize the process of making something smooth, distinguishing it from the simpler verb “smooth.”

Related Concepts

Understanding these grammatical concepts can help clarify why “smoothen” is preferred over “smoothe” and how verbs are formed in English.

• Verb Suffixes: The suffix “-en” is a productive suffix in English used to form verbs, typically from adjectives, indicating a process of becoming or making something. Recognizing this pattern (e.g., lighten, widen, strengthen) reinforces the correctness of “smoothen.”
• Archaic vs. Modern English: Language evolves, and words or forms that were once acceptable may fall out of common usage or become considered incorrect. “Smoothe” is an example of a form that belongs to an earlier stage of English and is no longer standard.
• Word Formation: Understanding how new words or new forms of existing words are created (morphology) helps in discerning proper usage. The consistent application of suffixes like “-en” to create verbs is a key aspect of English word formation.

Examples from Media and Literature

Here are examples demonstrating the correct usage of “smoothen” or the verb “smooth” where “smoothe” might be incorrectly substituted, highlighting how standard English avoids “smoothe.”

• “The sculptor worked tirelessly to smoothen the marble surface, bringing out its natural luster.” (Demonstrates “smoothen” for a physical process)
• “New government policies aim to smoothen the path for small businesses, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.” (Metaphorical use of “smoothen”)
• “He ran a hand over his chin, trying to smooth the nascent stubble, a nervous habit.” (Using the verb “smooth,” which is also correct and common)
• “The company hoped the new CEO would help smoothen relations with disgruntled shareholders.” (Another metaphorical use of “smoothen”)
• “After sanding, a final coat of varnish will help to smoothen and protect the wooden table.” (Direct application of “smoothen”)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The tailor needed to _______ out the fabric before cutting it. (smoothe / smoothen)
2. She hoped the conversation would _______ their strained relationship. (smoothe / smoothen)
3. To _______ the dough, he kneaded it for several minutes. (smoothe / smoothen)
4. The new software update is designed to _______ the user experience. (smoothe / smoothen)
5. He tried to _______ his hair with his hand, but it was too windy. (smoothe / smoothen)

Answer Key

1. smoothen (or smooth)
2. smoothen
3. smoothen (or smooth)
4. smoothen
5. smoothen (or smooth)

Smoothen Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Smooth	To make something free from roughness or unevenness.
Even out	To make something flat, level, or consistent.
Flatten	To make or become flat or flatter.
Level	To make a surface flat and even.
Polish	To make the surface of something smooth and shiny by rubbing.
Refine	To improve something by making small changes, making it more subtle or precise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “smoothe” ever acceptable to use?
“Smoothe” is generally not acceptable in modern standard English. While it might appear in older literature or poetry as an archaic variant of the verb “smooth,” it is considered incorrect or non-standard in contemporary writing and speech. For clarity and correctness, it is best to avoid it.

Question 2: Can I use “smooth” as a verb instead of “smoothen”?
Yes, absolutely. “Smooth” is also a perfectly correct and very common verb, meaning “to make smooth.” For instance, “She smoothed the fabric” is just as correct as “She smoothened the fabric.” “Smoothen” often implies a more deliberate or extensive process of making something smooth, but both are valid.

Question 3: Why do people get “smoothe” and “smoothen” confused?
The confusion often arises because “smooth” is a very common adjective, and people may try to create a verb form that looks similar but isn’t standard. The verb “smooth” exists, and “smoothen” exists, but “smoothe” is an uncommon and largely rejected variant. Phonetic similarity and the natural tendency to derive verbs from adjectives contribute to the confusion.

Conclusion

In the choice between “smoothe” and “smoothen,” the clear winner for contemporary, standard English is smoothen. This verb, meaning “to make smooth,” is properly formed with the productive “-en” suffix and is widely recognized and used. While “smoothe” might have a historical or poetic presence, it is largely considered archaic, non-standard, or even a misspelling in modern contexts. To ensure clear and correct communication, always opt for “smoothen” or the equally valid verb “smooth.”

Pro Tip: Using non-standard or archaic forms like “smoothe” can detract from your credibility in professional and academic settings. Stick to “smoothen” or “smooth” to maintain a polished and accurate writing style.