Smashing
adj.joyful, energeticplayful
What it means
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.
Choose between these
6- playful
when energetic informal enthusiasm fits
not when Terrific can sound more American and slightly stronger.
- everyday
when contemporary British praise for a result or idea is natural
not when Brilliant may imply intelligence rather than general enjoyment.
- warm
when style or pleasure invites expressive admiration
not when Fabulous is more flamboyant and can feel exaggerated.
- warm
when personal delight matters most
not when Wonderful is more widely understood and less cheeky.
- professional
when clear high-quality praise should sound neutral
not when Excellent lacks the friendly bounce and regional flavor of smashing.
- literary
when warm approval can sound slightly grand
not when Splendid feels more polished and old-fashioned in a different way.
Said against
3- dreadful
- poor
- disappointing
It naturally appears in
3- 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.
Where this comes from
The positive adjective is informal and especially associated with British English; elsewhere smashing may first suggest breaking.
- wiktionary, English adjective, excellent or very attractive sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.