Exceptionally good, attractive, or enjoyable in cheerful informal speech.
Reach for it when offering exuberant approval where British-flavored informality suits the audience
We had a smashing afternoon restoring the old garden signs.
| playful |
|
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| literary |
playful
Fits when energetic informal enthusiasm fits
Careful Terrific can sound more American and slightly stronger.
everyday
Fits when contemporary British praise for a result or idea is natural
Careful Brilliant may imply intelligence rather than general enjoyment.
warm
Fits when style or pleasure invites expressive admiration
Careful Fabulous is more flamboyant and can feel exaggerated.
warm
Fits when personal delight matters most
Careful Wonderful is more widely understood and less cheeky.
professional
Fits when clear high-quality praise should sound neutral
Careful Excellent lacks the friendly bounce and regional flavor of smashing.
literary
Fits when warm approval can sound slightly grand
Careful Splendid feels more polished and old-fashioned in a different way.
smashing time
Everyone had a smashing time at the neighborhood picnic.
look smashing
You look smashing in the jacket you repaired yourself.
smashing success
The school garden became a smashing success with local cooks.
Keep in mind
The positive adjective is informal and especially associated with British English; elsewhere smashing may first suggest breaking.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated
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