smooth out

To make a surface flat and even by removing folds, bumps, or rough parts.

• Smooth out the paper before drawing.
• He smoothed the wrinkles out of his shirt.
• Use your hands to smooth out the dough.

How to use it: smooth something out (She smoothed the sheet out with her hands.)

Similar words: smooth, flatten, even out

Opposites: roughen, crumple

Common phrases: smooth out wrinkles, smooth out something, smooth out paper

To remove small problems or uneven changes so something works better or more steadily.

• We smoothed out the problems together.
• Monthly payments help smooth out changes in income.
• The team is smoothing out a few difficulties with the new system.

How to use it: smooth something out (We need to smooth these problems out before opening.)

Similar words: resolve, iron out, even out

Common phrases: smooth out problems, smooth out differences, smooth out something

To become flat or even, with fewer bumps, folds, or sudden changes.

• The road smooths out after the bridge.
• The wrinkles smoothed out as the fabric dried.
• Keep stirring until the mixture smooths out.

Similar words: become smooth, even out

Common phrases: smooth out gradually, smooth out naturally