What it means
Means excellent, really good, or a proper success. It’s a very British bit of praise with a slightly old-school, sometimes posh shine to it. People say it straight when something’s gone well, or with a cheeky wink when they’re laying it on a bit thick.
Usage examples
"Sorted the dodgy boiler off a YouTube tutorial, mate. Smashing. Put the kettle on, made a brew, and strutted round like I’m the heating engineer."
"The roast lunch at the Cotswold inn was absolutely smashing, the beef came out pink in the middle, the Yorkshire puddings were the size of a small saucer, and the gravy boat needed refilling twice before the apple crumble arrived from the kitchen."
"My niece passed her A-level chemistry exam with a smashing A star, she had been revising at the kitchen table since the second week of January, and now the whole family is helping her plan the celebration trip to Edinburgh for the long August weekend."
"You booked the table, it’s not raining, and Dave’s actually on time for once. Smashing, miracles do happen."
"Got the email saying they’re refunding the whole thing. Smashing. Was fully ready for a three-week headache there."
Got something to say?
Edit, fix or tell us something. We review it and, if it is true, you will see it applied with your name on it.
Where it comes from
In British English, smashing took on the meaning of excellent in the late 1800s. It grew from the older sense of something striking or forceful, then slid into everyday praise. By the early 1900s, people were using it for meals, parties, performances, and bits of good news with that bright, slightly posh British sparkle.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
