Smashing: meaning, definitions and examples

Informal, enthusiastic praise often used in British English. It conveys a sense of excitement and delight.

• Her presentation was absolutely smashing! We had a smashing time at the party

Formal and informal situations. It suggests high quality or outstanding performance and is widely applicable in professional and everyday language.

• Her performance was excellent
• We received excellent customer service

Formal and informal contexts. It implies superior quality or excellence, standing out above the rest.

• She is an outstanding student
• The view from the top of the mountain is absolutely outstanding

Formal and informal settings. It denotes something that evokes admiration due to its quality, skill, or size.

• His academic achievements are very impressive
• The company's growth last year was impressive

Formal and informal, often used to describe something of the highest quality, with a refined or sophisticated undertone.

• The chef prepared a superb meal
• Her performance in the play was simply superb

Informal, used to express high enthusiasm and excitement. It often implies something extraordinary or unreal.

• The concert was fantastic! You've done a fantastic job!

Used informally to describe something excellent or impressive. Can also mean to break something into pieces with a forceful impact.

• The party was absolutely smashing!
• He smashed the window with a bat.

General term for separating something into pieces, can be applied to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

• She accidentally broke the vase.
• Let's take a break from our work.

Used to describe breaking something into many small pieces, often suddenly and violently. Can be used metaphorically to suggest complete disruption.

• The glass shatters easily if you drop it.
• The news shattered her hope for a better future.

Implies applying force to make something lose its shape or integrity; often used metaphorically to describe overcoming opponents or difficulties.

• He crushed the can with his foot.
• The team crushed their rivals in the game.

Implies complete ruin or obliteration, leaving no usable parts. Can have a strong, often negative connotation.

• The hurricane destroyed several buildings.
• His careless actions nearly destroyed their friendship.

Implies total destruction or severe damage, often used in relation to accidents or disasters. Can have a negative connotation.

• The car was wrecked in the collision.
• Their argument wrecked the party’s atmosphere.