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¹smother

noun smoth·er \ˈsmə-thər\

Definition of SMOTHER

a : thick stifling smoke or smudge

b : a state of being stifled or suppressed

: a dense cloud (as of fog or dust)

: a confused multitude of things : welter

— smoth·ery \ˈsmə-thə-rē, ˈsməth-rē\ adjective

Origin of SMOTHER

Middle English, alteration of smorther, from smoren to smother, from Old English smorian to suffocate; akin to Middle Dutch smoren to suffocate

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with SMOTHER

brother, mother, nother, other, tother

²smother

verb

: to kill (someone) by covering the face so that breathing is not possible

: to cover (something) in order to keep it from growing or spreading

: to try to keep (something) from happening : to try to stop doing (something)

smoth·eredsmoth·er·ing \ˈsmə-thə-riŋ, ˈsməth-riŋ\

Full Definition of SMOTHER

intransitive verb

: to be overcome or killed through or as if through lack of air

transitive verb

: to overcome or kill with smoke or fumes

a : to kill by depriving of air

b : to overcome or discomfit through or as if through lack of air

c : to suppress (a fire) by excluding oxygen

a : to cause to smolder

b : to suppress expression or knowledge of <smothered his rage>

c : to stop or prevent the growth or activity of <smother a child with too much care>; also : overwhelm

d : to cover thickly : blanket <snow smothered the trails>

e : to overcome or vanquish quickly or decisively

: to cook in a covered pan or pot with little liquid over low heat

See smother defined for English-language learners

See smother defined for kids

First Known Use of SMOTHER

circa 1520

Related to SMOTHER

Synonyms: choke, stifle, strangle, suffocate

Rhymes with SMOTHER

mother, other

SMOTHERING Defined for Kids

smother

verb smoth·er \ˈsmə-thər\

smoth·eredsmoth·er·ing

Definition of SMOTHER for Kids

: to kill or injure by keeping from getting air or by exposing to smoke or fumes : suffocate

: to become suffocated

: to keep from growing or developing by or as if by covering <smother a fire> <… anguish smothered her smallest joy. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>

: to keep from happening : suppress <I tried to smother a yawn.>

: to cover thickly <The salad was smothered with dressing.>