Smoothly
/ˈsmuːð.li/noun
In a smooth manner, without difficulty, interruption, or roughness.
Did you know?The word’s core comes from an ancient Germanic adjective describing a surface that was soft or even, while English later added “-ly” to turn that quality into a manner of action.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*smōþijaz
“Smooth, soft, or even; reconstructed ancestor of the later Germanic forms.”
Old English
OE
smēthe
“Smooth, soft, even, or gentle to the touch.”
Middle English
ME
smothe
“Smooth or free from roughness; later developing the modern vowel and consonant pattern.”
Middle English
ME
smotheli
“Smoothly; the adjective combined with the adverb-forming suffix -li.”
Modern English
English
smoothly
“In a smooth, easy, or uninterrupted manner.”
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