Meaning of smash in English

1. Pronunciation

   /smæʃ/

   US accent

   How to pronounce smash in American English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

   UK accent

   How to pronounce smash in British English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

1. Verb

   smash

   Etymology

   early 18th century (as a noun): probably imitative, representing a blend of words such as smack, smite with bash, mash, etc.

   Definitions

   1. hit hard

   Examples

   • « He smashed a 3-run homer »
2. 2. break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over

   Examples

   • « Smash a plate »
3. 3. reduce to bankruptcy

   Examples

   • « My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me! »
   • « The slump in the financial markets smashed him »
4. 4. hit violently

   Examples

   • « She smashed her car against the guard rail »
5. 5. humiliate or depress completely

   Examples

   • « She was crushed by his refusal of her invitation »
   • « The death of her son smashed her »
6. 6. damage or destroy as if by violence

   Examples

   • « The teenager banged up the car of his mother »
7. 7. hit (a tennis ball) in a powerful overhead stroke
8. 8. collide or strike violently and suddenly

   Examples

   • « The motorcycle smashed into the guard rail »
9. 9. overthrow or destroy (something considered evil or harmful)

   Examples

   • « The police smashed the drug ring after they were tipped off »
10. 10. break suddenly into pieces, as from a violent blow

    Examples

    • « The window smashed »

11. Adverb

    smash

    Definitions

    1. with a loud crash

    Examples

    • « the car went smash through the fence »

12. Noun

    smash

    Definitions

    1. a vigorous blow

    Examples

    • « the sudden knock floored him »
    • « he took a bash right in his face »
    • « he got a bang on the head »
13. 2. a serious collision (especially of motor vehicles)
14. 3. a hard return hitting the tennis ball above your head
15. 4. the act of colliding with something

    Examples

    • « his crash through the window »
    • « the fullback's smash into the defensive line »
16. 5. a conspicuous success

    Examples

    • « that song was his first hit and marked the beginning of his career »
    • « that new Broadway show is a real smasher »
    • « the party went with a bang »