smashing

/ˈsmæʃɪŋ/ (American pronunciation)

Origin

From the verb "smash" + "-ing" suffix, originating from the early 18th century.

Meanings

1. (adjective) Excellent, impressive, or wonderful

   • Example: "We had a smashing time at the party last night."

2. (adjective) Very large or impressive

   • Example: "The company reported smashing profits this quarter."

3. (verb) Present participle of "smash"

   • Example: "He was smashing the old furniture to make room for the new pieces."

Related Words

• Forms: smash (verb, noun), smashed (past tense, past participle)
• Synonyms: excellent, fantastic, terrific, wonderful, superb, outstanding

Memorization Trick

Think of the word "smashing" as something so good it "smashes" through your expectations, leaving you impressed and amazed.

Additional Notes

The term "smashing" is particularly common in British English as an enthusiastic expression of approval or satisfaction. It gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s as part of upper-class slang.