Meaning of smash in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Adverb
    1. Definitions
  4. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /smæʃ/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  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 »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over

    Examples

    • « Smash a plate »

    Derived terms

  3. 3. reduce to bankruptcy

    Examples

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

    Derived terms

  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 »

    Derived terms

  6. 6. damage or destroy as if by violence

    Examples

    • « The teenager banged up the car of his mother »

    Derived terms

  7. 7. hit (a tennis ball) in a powerful overhead stroke

    Derived terms

  8. 8. collide or strike violently and suddenly

    Examples

    • « The motorcycle smashed into the guard rail »

    Derived terms

  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 »

    Derived terms

  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 »

    Derived terms

  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 »

Famous quotes

  • « Daddy loves you, but he smacks you, and he can shout at you and smash things, but Daddy still loves you. So when you get into a relationship with someone who does all of that, why would it be unusual? »
    Trisha Goddard
  • « Anger is like those ruins which smash themselves on what they fall. »
    Lucius Annaeus Seneca

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