rather smooth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather smooth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fairly or somewhat smooth, often in terms of texture, surface, or experience. Example: "The surface of the table was rather smooth, making it easy to write on."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"On the other hand," he said, "the oil men were rather smooth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The surface and the interfaces of the multilayers are rather smooth with only small roughness.

Vacuum

The surface of the layers grown is rather smooth with a roughness of several nanometres.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The results show that the proposed moving vehicle device can provide a rather smooth guideway.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The analysis shows that the changes in the liquid flow field are rather smooth when increasing the gas fraction.

Chemical Engineering Science

The use of complexing agents yields in rather smooth and compact ruthenium deposits with enhanced long-term stability.

Electrochimica Acta

SEM and AFM images indicate that the surface of the multilayer film is rather smooth and dense.

Surface and Coatings Technology

"I'd rather smooth it out and say hey, can we meet in the middle somewhere," Sandy says as we finish our drinks.

The Guardian - Sport

The design process is rather smooth only in the case of linear static approach classically implemented for regular, mid-rise structures.

Procedia Engineering

Overall, the protein appears to fold on a rather smooth energy landscape, where the folding mechanism conforms a one-dimensional approximation.

Journal of Molecular Biology

Compared with the culture recalibration required of Americans when they travel to some far-off parts of the world, arriving in New Zealand is a rather smooth experience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like processes or transitions, use "rather smooth" to convey a sense of ease and lack of disruption. For example, "The transition to the new software was rather smooth, requiring minimal training."

Common error

While "rather smooth" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in very casual conversations. In such contexts, simpler alternatives like "pretty smooth" or "quite smooth" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather smooth" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates a quality of moderate smoothness, suggesting something is not perfectly smooth but possesses a noticeable degree of evenness or lack of irregularity. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples showcasing its use in describing surfaces, transitions, and experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather smooth" is a versatile adjective phrase that effectively conveys a moderate degree of smoothness. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and very common, particularly within scientific and news media contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it may sound slightly formal in very casual conversations. Consider using related phrases like "fairly even" or "relatively seamless" for slight variations in meaning. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in informal contexts. With a solid expert rating and frequent usage in authoritative sources, "rather smooth" remains a reliable and effective way to describe something that has smoothness but not absolute one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly even

Replaces "smooth" with "even", suggesting a consistent level or quality rather than a texture.

relatively seamless

Focuses on the lack of interruption or difficulty, similar to a smooth experience.

moderately polished

Emphasizes a refined or improved state, akin to a smooth surface achieved through polishing.

somewhat sleek

Suggests a stylish smoothness, often associated with design or appearance.

quite unwrinkled

Highlights the absence of imperfections, similar to a smooth surface without wrinkles.

noticeably effortless

Shifts the focus to the ease or lack of difficulty, implying a smooth process.

comparatively fluid

Emphasizes the easy and continuous flow or movement, resembling a smooth transition.

slightly regular

Highlights a consistent pattern or arrangement, suggesting a smooth and predictable structure.

reasonably refined

Indicates an improvement in quality or sophistication, implying a smoother or more polished result.

largely untroubled

Focuses on the absence of problems or disruptions, similar to a smooth and undisturbed experience.

FAQs

How can I use "rather smooth" in a sentence?

You can use "rather smooth" to describe something that is fairly or somewhat smooth, often referring to texture, surface, or experience. For example, "The flight was "relatively smooth" despite the storm warnings".

What are some alternatives to "rather smooth"?

Some alternatives include "fairly even", "relatively seamless", or "moderately polished", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "rather smooth" formal or informal?

"Rather smooth" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional communication, news reporting, and academic writing, but may sound a bit stiff in very casual conversations.

What does "rather" mean in the phrase "rather smooth"?

In this context, "rather" functions as an adverb that means "to a certain extent" or "somewhat". It indicates that something is not perfectly smooth, but is smooth to a noticeable degree. It's similar to saying "quite smooth" or "fairly smooth".