Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [smuhth -er]
- /ˈsmʌð ər/
- /ˈsmʌð.ər/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [smuhth -er]
- /ˈsmʌð ər/
Definitions of smother word
- verb with object smother to stifle or suffocate, as by smoke or other means of preventing free breathing. 1
- verb with object smother to extinguish or deaden (fire, coals, etc.) by covering so as to exclude air. 1
- verb with object smother to cover closely or thickly; envelop: to smother a steak with mushrooms. 1
- verb with object smother to suppress or repress: to smother feelings. 1
- verb with object smother Cookery. to steam (food) slowly in a heavy, tightly closed vessel with a minimum of liquid: smothered chicken and onions. 1
- verb without object smother to become stifled or suffocated; be prevented from breathing. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of smother
First appearance:
before 1125 One of the 6% oldest English words
1125-75; (noun) Middle English smorther dense smoke; akin to Old English smorian to suffocate; (v.) Middle English smo(r)theren, derivative of the noun
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Smother
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
smother popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
smother usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for smother
verb smother
- anesthetize — to cause anesthesia in; give an anesthetic to
- anesthetized — to render physically insensible, as by an anesthetic.
- asphyxiate — If someone is asphyxiated, they die or lose consciousness because they are unable to breathe properly.
- balmed — simple past tense and past participle of balm.
- beat down — When the sun beats down, it is very hot and bright.
noun smother
- cloud — A cloud is a mass of water vapour that floats in the sky. Clouds are usually white or grey in colour.
- fog — a second growth of grass, as after mowing.
- haze — vagueness or obscurity, as of the mind or perception; confused or vague thoughts, feelings, etc.: The victims were still in a haze and couldn't describe the accident.
- haziness — characterized by the presence of haze; misty: hazy weather.
- indistinctness — not distinct; not clearly marked or defined: indistinct markings.
Antonyms for smother
verb smother
- burn — If there is a fire or a flame somewhere, you say that there is a fire or flame burning there.
- calcine — to heat (a substance) so that it is oxidized, reduced, or loses water
- calcined — to convert into calx by heating or burning.
- conflagrate — to catch or set on fire
- loose — free or released from fastening or attachment: a loose end.
Top questions with smother
- how to smother potatoes?
- how to smother pork chops?
- what does smother mean?
- how to smother cabbage?
- how to smother chicken?
- how to smother a fire?
- what is smother?
- why do cats smother babies?
- how to smother steak?
- how to smother yourself?
- how do you spell smother?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with s
- Words starting with sm
- Words starting with smo
- Words starting with smot
- Words starting with smoth
- Words starting with smothe
- Words starting with smother