How Do You Spell SMOTHERING?

Pronunciation: [smˈʌðəɹɪŋ] (IPA)

The word "smothering" is spelled with two syllables: "smuh" and "thuhr-ing". The first syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound, like the word "cup", followed by the consonant sound "m" and the schwa sound "uh". The second syllable begins with the voiced "th" sound, followed by the vowel sound "er" and the consonant sound "ing". The word refers to the act of suffocating or covering something completely, usually with pillows or blankets.

SMOTHERING Meaning and Definition

1. The term "smothering" refers to the act of suppressing or suffocating someone or something by covering them completely or obstructing their airways. It involves depriving an individual or an object of fresh air, usually by blocking their breathing passages, resulting in a lack of oxygen or the inability to breathe properly. Smothering can either be accidental or intentional.

   In a literal sense, smothering occurs when an external force, such as a heavy blanket or pillow, is placed on top of a person, covering their face and preventing them from breathing. This action, if sustained, can lead to asphyxiation, unconsciousness, and even death.

   Figuratively, smothering is often used to describe an overwhelming or all-encompassing influence or control over someone. This could be exerted by an overly protective parent, a possessive partner, or any individual who excessively inhibits the independence or growth of another person. These figurative cases of smothering involve suffocating someone emotionally or mentally, hindering their freedom and personal development.

   Overall, smothering signifies the act of suppressing or suffocating, whether it be physically by obstructing airflow or figuratively by exerting excessive control or influence over someone. It implies the restriction or obstruction of an individual's autonomy, growth, or ability to breathe freely, either through physical means or emotional stifling.

2. Wanting vent; suffocating.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SMOTHERING *

• smuthering 62.5%
• smoothering 25%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SMOTHERING

• smothing
• smathering
• smitherins
• smodering
• somthering
• smotheringy
• smotthering
• myrmothrine
• smotherines
• smothening
• smotheings
• smotherinngs
• smetherings
• smotherinigs
• Gomotheriidae
• Smotherie
• smethering

Etymology of SMOTHERING

The word "smothering" is derived from the Middle English word "smotheren", which emerged in the 14th century. This Middle English term is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "smorian", meaning "to suffocate". "Smorian" itself can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*smurjanan", meaning "to choke", which was derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*smerd-" with a similar meaning.

Similar spelling words for SMOTHERING

• smithers,
• smitherman,
• smother,
• smattering,
• smithereens,
• smatter,
• smothered,
• smotherer,
• smoother,
• smothers,
• Smither,
• Smotherman,
• smathers.

Plural form of SMOTHERING is SMOTHERINGS

Conjugate verb Smothering

CONDITIONAL

I would smother

we would smother

you would smother

he/she/it would smother

they would smother

FUTURE

I will smother

we will smother

you will smother

he/she/it will smother

they will smother

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have smothered

we will have smothered

you will have smothered

he/she/it will have smothered

they will have smothered

PAST

I smothered

we smothered

you smothered

he/she/it smothered

they smothered

PAST PERFECT

I had smothered

we had smothered

you had smothered

he/she/it had smothered

they had smothered

PRESENT

I smother

we smother

you smother

he/she/it smothers

they smother

PRESENT PERFECT

I have smothered

we have smothered

you have smothered

he/she/it has smothered

they have smothered

I am smothering

we are smothering

you are smothering

he/she/it is smothering

they are smothering

I was smothering

we were smothering

you were smothering

he/she/it was smothering

they were smothering

I will be smothering

we will be smothering

you will be smothering

he/she/it will be smothering

they will be smothering

I have been smothering

we have been smothering

you have been smothering

he/she/it has been smothering

they have been smothering

I had been smothering

we had been smothering

you had been smothering

he/she/it had been smothering

they had been smothering

I will have been smothering

we will have been smothering

you will have been smothering

he/she/it will have been smothering

they will have been smothering

I would have smothered

we would have smothered

you would have smothered

he/she/it would have smothered

they would have smothered

I would be smothering

we would be smothering

you would be smothering

he/she/it would be smothering

they would be smothering

I would have been smothering

we would have been smothering

you would have been smothering

he/she/it would have been smothering

they would have been smothering