smothered in

USAGE SUMMARY

"smothered in" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe food covered in a thick layer of a condiment, such as "the pancakes were smothered in syrup" or "the burger was smothered in cheese". However, it can also be used as an idiom to describe an overwhelming amount of something, such as "she was smothered in guilt".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes smothered in darkness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Overt carnality is smothered in soap bubbles.

The New York Times - Arts

They should not be smothered in hollandaise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The movie is smothered in music.

The New York Times

Yet Germany is still smothered in regulations that crimp markets.

The Economist

We ordered it smothered in onions; it was barely muffled.

The New York Times

Every Stravinskian savagery was smothered in Romantic bliss.

The New York Times - Arts

It's the scalp: all smothered in a fluffy buzzcut.

The Guardian - Film

The young children are dead, smothered in their beds.

The Guardian - Books

Sandal-ready pedicures have been summarily smothered in socks.

The New York Times - Style

Usually, this cut is marinated or smothered in onions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smothered in" to vividly describe food items generously topped with sauces or ingredients. This adds sensory detail and appeals to the reader's imagination, enhancing the overall impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "smothered in" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or precise term like "covered with" or "abundant in" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

"Smothered in" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something being completely covered or overwhelmed. As Ludwig AI explains, it's often used to describe food covered in a thick layer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smothered in" is a prepositional phrase indicating something is generously or completely covered. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common use, particularly in describing food or an abundance of something. While its register is generally neutral, it’s best suited for informal to neutral contexts and should be used with caution in formal writing. Frequent contexts include News & Media, while less common contexts are Formal & Business. Remember to use it to add vivid detail to your descriptions, but avoid overuse in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covered in

Indicates a surface-level application or presence of something, differing from "smothered in" which suggests a more generous or complete covering.

drenched in

Implies a saturation or heavy coating, similar to "smothered in" but often used for liquids.

laden with

Suggests being heavily burdened or filled, close to "smothered in" when describing an abundance.

awash in

Describes being flooded or surrounded by something, similar to "smothered in" in conveying abundance.

saturated with

Indicates a complete permeation, sharing the sense of thoroughness with "smothered in".

buried under

Suggests being concealed or overwhelmed by a large quantity, similar to the overwhelming aspect of "smothered in".

overflowing with

Implies an excess or abundance that spills over, akin to the generous application suggested by "smothered in".

submerged in

Indicates being completely immersed or enveloped, sharing the sense of thoroughness with "smothered in".

encased in

Suggests being enclosed or surrounded, differing from "smothered in" which implies a surface application.

overflowing with

This phrase indicates a state of abundance or excess, similar to how "smothered in" suggests a generous covering or filling.

FAQs

How can I use "smothered in" in a sentence?

You can use "smothered in" to describe something covered generously, like "The fries were "smothered in" cheese sauce" or "The city was "smothered in" fog".

What's a good alternative to "smothered in"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "smothered in" include "covered in", "drenched in", or "laden with".

Is it appropriate to use "smothered in" in formal writing?

While "smothered in" is acceptable in informal contexts, it may be too casual for formal writing. Consider using a more neutral term like "covered with" or "abundant in" instead.

What does "smothered in" imply about the amount of something?

"Smothered in" suggests a generous or excessive amount of something covering another thing. It implies a thick or heavy coating.