Smash
/smæʃ/noun
To break something violently into pieces or to hit with sudden force.
Did you know?‘Smash’ is probably imitative in origin, meaning its sound itself helped shape the word, which is why it feels so explosive across Germanic languages.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*smassōną
“to smash, break to pieces”
Middle High German
MHG
smaschen
“to smash, crush”
Middle Dutch
MDu
smashen
“to smash, break”
16th Century
English
smash
“to break violently or shatter”
Modern English
English
smash
“to break or hit with sudden force; a violent blow or impact”
Explore more surprising origins