different between satisfactory vs smooth

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French satisfactoire, from Late Latin satisfact?rius, from Latin satisfactus, past participle of satisfaci?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sæt?s?fækt(?)?i/
• Rhymes: -ækt??i

Adjective

satisfactory (comparative more satisfactory, superlative most satisfactory)

1. Done to satisfaction; adequate or sufficient.

   The satisfactory results of the survey led to his promotion.
2. Causing satisfaction; agreeable or pleasant; satisfying.
3. (theology) Making atonement for a sin; expiatory.

Usage notes

Although structurally similar (both being derived from satisfy and describing that which produces satisfaction), satisfactory (def. 1) and satisfying differ in connotation. Satisfactory connotes "adequate, conforming to standards," while satisfying connotes "pleasing, or sufficient to remove any feeling of lack." An answer to a question or the outcome of a situation, for example, could be satisfactory without being satisfying, if it met the requirements but left one wanting more.

Derived terms

• satisfactorily (adv)
• unsatisfactory (adj)

Related terms

• satisfaction (n)
• satisfied (adj)

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• smeeth (dialectal)
• (verb): smoothe

Etymology

From Middle English smoothe, smothe, smethe, from Old English sm?þ and Old English sm?þe, both from Proto-Germanic *smanþaz, *smanþiz, of unknown origin. Cognate with Scots smuith (“smooth”), Low German smood and smödig (“smooth, malleable, ductile”), Dutch smeuïg (“smooth”) (from earlier smeudig).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /smu?ð/
• Rhymes: -u?ð

Adjective

smooth (comparative smoother, superlative smoothest)

1. Having a texture that lacks friction. Not rough.
   • 1695, John Dryden (translator), Observations on the Art of Painting by Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy

     The outlines must be smooth, […] imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities.

   • “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable, […].
2. Without difficulty, problems, or unexpected consequences or incidents.
3. Bland; glib.

   • This smooth discourse and mild behavior oft / Conceal a traitor.
4. Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; fluent.
   • 1670, John Milton, The History of Britain

     the only smooth poet of those times}}

   • 1713, John Gay, The Fan

     When sage Minerva rose, / From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows.

5. (of a person) Suave; sophisticated.
6. (of an action) Natural; unconstrained.
7. (of a motion) Unbroken.
8. (chiefly of water) Placid, calm.
9. (of an edge) Lacking projections or indentations; not serrated.
10. (of food or drink) Not grainy; having an even texture.
11. (of a beverage) Having a pleasantly rounded flavor; neither rough nor astringent.
12. (mathematics, of a function) Having derivatives of all finite orders at all points within the function’s domain.
13. (mathematics, of a number) That factors completely into small prime numbers.
14. (linguistics, classical studies, of a vowel) Lacking marked aspiration.
15. (of muscles, medicine) Involuntary and non-striated.

Synonyms

• (having a texture lacking friction): even
• (without difficulty or problems): fluid

Antonyms

• rough
• uneven
• bumpy

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

smooth (comparative smoother, superlative smoothest)

1. Smoothly.

Noun

smooth (plural smooths)

1. Something that is smooth, or that goes smoothly and easily.

   • The smooth of his neck.

   • 1862, William Makepeace Thackeray, The Adventures of Philip

     I think you and I will take the ups and the downs , the roughs and the smooths of this daily existence and conversation
2. A smoothing action.
3. A domestic animal having a smooth coat.
4. A member of an anti-hippie fashion movement in 1970s Britain.
5. (statistics) The analysis obtained through a smoothing procedure.

Translations

Verb

smooth (third-person singular simple present smooths, present participle smoothing, simple past and past participle smoothed)

1. (transitive) To make smooth or even.

   Synonym: smoothen

2. (transitive) To reduce to a particular shape or form by pressure; to press, to flatten.

3. (transitive) To make straightforward or easy.
   • 2007, Beth Kohn, Lonely Planet Venezuela (page 379)

     Caracas can be a tough place but the tremendously good-natured caraqueños smoothed my passage every step of the way.

4. (transitive) To calm or palliate.

   to smooth a person's temper

5. (statistics, image processing, digital audio) To capture important patterns in the data, while leaving out noise.
6. (West Country) To stroke; especially to stroke an animal's fur.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• smoothing on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• shtoom