Glabrous vs. Smooth — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
Glabrous specifically describes surfaces that are completely devoid of hair or down, often used in botanical contexts, whereas smooth refers to any surface that is even and untextured, applicable to a wide range of contexts.
Difference Between Glabrous and Smooth
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Glabrous is a term particularly used in botany and dermatology to describe surfaces, such as leaves, skin, or fruits, that are naturally hairless. It denotes an absence of any kind of hair or fine down. On the other hand, smooth is a more general descriptor that applies to any surface characterized by evenness and a lack of roughness or projections, not necessarily limited to the absence of hair.
In botanical descriptions, a glabrous leaf is one that has no trichomes (hair-like structures) on its surface, making it feel very smooth to the touch. Whereas, a smooth leaf may still possess very fine hairs that are not detectable by touch alone, implying that its texture is even but not necessarily hairless.
The use of glabrous in describing skin refers to areas where hair does not grow, such as the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. Smooth skin, in contrast, might still have fine hairs but is free from blemishes or rough texture, making it soft and even to the touch.
Glabrous can often be a critical characteristic in identifying plant species, as the presence or absence of hair can differentiate between species or indicate certain adaptations. Conversely, describing something as smooth does not typically carry the same botanical or scientific precision and is more subjective based on tactile and visual perception.
In everyday language, smooth is far more commonly used than glabrous, which is mostly restricted to scientific or technical contexts. Smooth can describe textures encountered in numerous settings, from polished metal surfaces to a calm sea, emphasizing the versatility of the term compared to the specialized use of glabrous.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Lacking hair or down; completely hairless
Even and free from texture or roughness
Common Usage
Botany, dermatology
General use across various contexts
Sensory Perception
Specifically tactile, absence of hair
Tactile, visual; absence of rough texture
Contextual Relevance
Important in scientific identification
Widely applicable, less precise
Examples
Glabrous leaves, glabrous skin
Smooth stones, smooth fabric
Compare with Definitions
Glabrous
Pertaining to a clean, hairless appearance in various biological contexts.
The researcher examined the glabrous stem under the microscope.
Smooth
Often used to describe a calm, untroubled state.
The sea was smooth, reflecting the clear sky above.
Glabrous
Describing skin areas naturally without hair, such as palms.
The glabrous skin on her palms was soft and sensitive.
Smooth
Describing textures that are pleasant to touch and visually uniform.
His new suit was made of remarkably smooth fabric.
Glabrous
Relating to surfaces that lack any kind of fine hair or down.
He appreciated the glabrous texture of the orchid's petals.
Smooth
Free of bumps, ridges, or indentations.
The craftsman created a perfectly smooth finish on the wooden sculpture.
Glabrous
Completely devoid of hair or down, especially on plant parts or skin.
The botanist noted the glabrous leaves, important for plant identification.
Smooth
Having an even and uniform surface without irregularities or roughness.
She admired the smooth surface of the polished table.
Glabrous
Used in botanical contexts to specify hairless plant surfaces.
This species is characterized by its glabrous fruit.
Smooth
Applicable to descriptions of motion, appearance, and texture.
The dancer’s movements were incredibly smooth and graceful.
Glabrous
Having no hairs or pubescence; smooth
Glabrous leaves.
Smooth
Having a surface free from irregularities, roughness, or projections; even.
Glabrous
Bald, hairless; smooth.
Smooth
Free from waves or disturbances; calm
The lake is smooth today.
Glabrous
Smooth; having a surface without hairs or any unevenness.
Smooth
Free from hair, whiskers, or stubble
Felt his smooth cheek after the close shave.
Glabrous
Having no hair or similar growth; smooth;
Glabrous stems
Glabrous leaves
A glabrous scalp
Smooth
Having a short dense flat coat. Used of dogs.
Smooth
Having a fine texture
A smooth fabric.
Smooth
Having an even consistency
A smooth pudding.
Smooth
Having an even or gentle motion or movement
A smooth ride.
Smooth
Having no obstructions or difficulties
A smooth operation.
A smooth trip.
Smooth
Easy-going; serene
A smooth temperament.
Smooth
Not sharp or bitter in taste
A smooth wine.
Smooth
Delicately pleasing to the ear; not harsh or grating
A smooth voice.
Smooth
Ingratiatingly polite and agreeable
Known for his smooth remarks.
Smooth
To make (something) even, level, or unwrinkled
Smoothed the fabric with an iron.
Smooth
To rid of obstructions, hindrances, or difficulties
A real estate agent who smoothed the process of applying for a mortgage.
Smooth
To soothe or tranquilize; make calm
The president tried to smooth over the hurt feelings of the disputing factions.
Smooth
To cause to appear less harsh or severe than is the case
Don't try to smooth over their faults.
Smooth
To become smooth.
Smooth
The act of smoothing.
Smooth
A smooth surface or part.
Smooth
Having a texture that lacks friction. Not rough.
Smooth
Without difficulty, problems, or unexpected consequences or incidents.
We hope for a smooth transition to the new system.
Smooth
Bland; glib.
Smooth
Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; fluent.
Smooth
Suave; sophisticated.
Smooth
(of an action) Natural; unconstrained.
Smooth
(of a motion) Unbroken.
Smooth
Placid, calm.
Smooth
(of an edge) Lacking projections or indentations; not serrated.
Smooth
(of food or drink) Not grainy; having an even texture.
Smooth
(of a beverage) Having a pleasantly rounded flavor; neither rough nor astringent.
Smooth
Having derivatives of all finite orders at all points within the function’s domain.
Smooth
That factors completely into small prime numbers.
Smooth
Lacking marked aspiration.
Smooth
Involuntary and non-striated.
Smooth
Smoothly.
Smooth
Something that is smooth, or that goes smoothly and easily.
Smooth
A smoothing action.
Smooth
A domestic animal having a smooth coat.
Smooth
A member of an anti-hippie fashion movement in 1970s Britain.
Smooth
(statistics) The analysis obtained through a smoothing procedure.
Smooth
(transitive) To make smooth or even.
Smooth
(transitive) To reduce to a particular shape or form by pressure; to press, to flatten.
To smooth cloth with a smoothing iron
Smooth
(transitive) To make straightforward or easy.
Smooth
(transitive) To calm or palliate.
To smooth a person's temper
Smooth
To capture important patterns in the data, while leaving out noise.
Smooth
(West Country) To stroke; especially to stroke an animal's fur.
Can I smooth your cat?
Smooth
Having an even surface, or a surface so even that no roughness or points can be perceived by the touch; not rough; as, smooth glass; smooth porcelain.
The outlines must be smooth, imperceptible to the touch, and even, without eminence or cavities.
Smooth
Evenly spread or arranged; sleek; as, smooth hair.
Smooth
Gently flowing; moving equably; not ruffled or obstructed; as, a smooth stream.
Smooth
Flowing or uttered without check, obstruction, or hesitation; not harsh; voluble; even; fluent.
The only smooth poet of those times.
Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to joinThe varying verse, the full-resounding line.
When sage Minerva rose,From her sweet lips smooth elocution flows.
Smooth
Bland; mild; smoothing; fattering.
This smooth discourse and mild behavior oftConceal a traitor.
Smooth
Causing no resistance to a body sliding along its surface; frictionless.
Smooth
Smoothly.
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.
Smooth
The act of making smooth; a stroke which smooths.
Smooth
That which is smooth; the smooth part of anything.
Smooth
To make smooth; to make even on the surface by any means; as, to smooth a board with a plane; to smooth cloth with an iron.
Smooth
To free from obstruction; to make easy.
Thou, Abelard! the last sad office pay,And smooth my passage to the realms of day.
Smooth
To free from harshness; to make flowing.
In their motions harmony divineSo smooths her charming tones that God's own earListens delighted.
Smooth
To palliate; to gloze; as, to smooth over a fault.
Smooth
To give a smooth or calm appearance to.
Each perturbation smoothed with outward calm.
Smooth
To ease; to regulate.
Smooth
To flatter; to use blandishment.
Because I can not flatter and speak fair,Smile in men's faces, smooth, deceive and cog.
Smooth
The act of smoothing;
He gave his hair a quick smooth
Smooth
Make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing;
Smooth the surface of the wood
Smooth
(of surfaces) make shine;
Shine the silver, please
Polish my shoes
Smooth
Free from obstructions;
Smooth the way towards peace negociations
Smooth
Having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities;
Smooth skin
A smooth tabletop
Smooth fabric
A smooth road
Water as smooth as a mirror
Smooth
Smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication;
He was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage
The hostess averted a confrontation between two guests with a diplomatic change of subject
The manager pacified the customer with a smooth apology for the error
Affable, suave, moderate men...smugly convinced of their respectability
Smooth
Of the margin of a leaf shape; not broken up into teeth
Smooth
Not marked with wrinkles;
Unwrinkled cheeks
Smooth
Smooth and unconstrained in movement;
A long, smooth stride
The fluid motion of a cat
The liquid grace of a ballerina
Liquid prose
Smooth
Without breaks between notes; smooth and connected;
A legato passage
Smooth
Without chinks or crannies
Smooth
Lacking obstructions or difficulties;
The bill's path through the legislature was smooth and orderly
Common Curiosities
Is smoothness a subjective characteristic?
Yes, smoothness can be somewhat subjective, varying based on personal perception and the context in which it is used.
How do botanists use the term glabrous for plant identification?
Botanists use glabrous to identify and differentiate species based on the presence or absence of hair on plant parts, which can be crucial for correct classification.
What is the key difference between glabrous and smooth?
Glabrous specifically refers to the absence of hair, while smooth refers to an even and uniform surface texture.
Where is the term glabrous most commonly used?
Glabrous is most commonly used in scientific contexts, especially botany and dermatology.
Can glabrous be used to describe textures other than skin or plant surfaces?
While typically used for skin or plants, glabrous can technically describe any surface that is naturally hairless.
What makes a smooth texture desirable in everyday objects?
A smooth texture is often desirable for its aesthetic appeal and the pleasant tactile experience it provides.
Are there any specific industries where smooth textures are particularly valued?
Smooth textures are valued in industries like automotive, manufacturing, and cosmetics for both functional and aesthetic reasons.
Can a surface be smooth but not glabrous?
Yes, a surface can be smooth but not glabrous if it has very fine, imperceptible hairs.
Does the presence of fine hair always make a surface non-glabrous?
Yes, any presence of hair or down makes a surface non-glabrous, as glabrous strictly means hairless.
How do descriptive terms like glabrous and smooth help in scientific research?
These terms help in precisely describing and documenting characteristics that are essential for research and classification.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
