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• smith
  smith

  noun

  a worker in metal.
• Smith
  Smith

  noun

  Adam, 1723–90, Scottish economist.
• Smith,
  Smith,

  British-born Canadian biochemist who developed a method for making a specific genetic mutation at any spot on a DNA molecule. He shared with American biochemist Kary B. Mullis the 1993 Nobel Prize for chemistry.

smith

¹ American  

[smith] / smɪθ /

noun

• smiths
  plural

1. a worker in metal.

2. a blacksmith.

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verb (used with object)

1. to forge on an anvil; form by heating and pounding.

   to smith armor.

Smith ² American  

[smith] / smɪθ /

noun

1. Adam, 1723–90, Scottish economist.

2. Alfred E(manuel), 1873–1944, U.S. political leader.

3. Bessie, 1894?–1937, U.S. singer.

4. Charles Henry Bill Arp, 1826–1903, U.S. humorist.

5. David, 1906–65, U.S. sculptor.

6. Edmond Kirby 1824–93, Confederate general in the Civil War.

7. Francis Hopkinson, 1838–1915, U.S. novelist, painter, and engineer.

8. George, 1840–76, English archaeologist and Assyriologist.

9. Hamilton Othanel, born 1931, U.S. microbiologist, codiscoverer of restriction enzymes: Nobel Prize 1978.

10. Hannah Whitall 1832–1911, U.S. writer and evangelist.

11. Ian Douglas, 1919–2007, Rhodesian political leader: prime minister 1964–79.

12. Jedediah Strong 1799–1831, U.S. trapper and explorer, one of the mountain men in the early American West.

13. John, 1580–1631, English adventurer and colonist in Virginia.

14. Joseph, 1805–44, U.S. religious leader: founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

15. Julia Evelina 1792–1886, U.S. suffragist.

16. Kathryn Elizabeth Kate, 1909–86, U.S. singer.

17. Logan Pearsall 1865–1946, U.S. essayist in England.

18. Margaret Chase, 1897–1995, U.S. politician.

19. Michael, 1932–2000, Canadian biochemist, born in England: Nobel Prize 1993.

20. Oliver, 1918–1994, U.S. set designer and theatrical producer.

21. Red Walter Wellesley Smith, 1905–82, U.S. sports journalist.

22. Sydney, 1771–1845, English clergyman, writer, and wit.

23. Tony, 1912–80, U.S. sculptor.

24. William, 1769–1839, English geologist.

25. a male given name.

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Smith ¹ British  

/ smɪθ /

noun

1. Adam. 1723–90, Scottish economist and philosopher, whose influential book The Wealth of Nations (1776) advocated free trade and private enterprise and opposed state interference

2. Alexander McCall. born 1948, Scottish writer and academic, born in Zimbabwe. His novels include The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (1998), The Sunday Philosophy Club (2004) and 44 Scotland Street (2005)

3. Bessie, known as Empress of the Blues. 1894–1937, US blues singer and songwriter

4. Delia. born 1941, British cookery writer and broadcaster: her publications include The Complete Cookery Course (1982)

5. F.E. See (1st Earl of) Birkenhead

6. Harvey. born 1938, British showjumper

7. Ian ( Douglas ). 1919–2007, Zimbabwean statesman; prime minister of Rhodesia (1964–79). He declared independence from Britain unilaterally (1965)

8. John. ?1580–1631, English explorer and writer, who helped found the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia. He was reputedly saved by the Indian chief's daughter Pocahontas from execution by her tribe. Among his works is a Description of New England (1616)

9. John. 1938–94, British Labour politician; leader of the Labour Party 1992–94

10. Joseph. 1805–44, US religious leader; founder of the Mormon Church

11. Dame Maggie. born 1934, British actress. She has appeared in the films The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), California Suite (1978), The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1988), The Secret Garden (1993), Gosford Park (2001), the Harry Potter series (2001–11), and in the TV series Downton Abbey (from 2010)

12. Stevie, real name Florence Margaret Smith. 1902–71, British poet. Her works include Novel on Yellow Paper (1936), and the poems `A Good Time was had by All' (1937) and `Not Waving but Drowning' (1957)

13. Sydney. 1771–1845, British clergyman and writer, noted for The Letters of Peter Plymley (1807–08), in which he advocated Catholic emancipation

14. Will ( ard Christopher ). born 1968, US film actor and rap singer; star of the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990–96) and the films Men In Black (1997), Ali (2001), and I Robot (2004)

15. Wilbur. born 1933, British novelist, born in Zambia. His novels include Where the Lion Feeds (1964), Monsoon (1999) and The Quest (2007)

16. William. 1769–1839, English geologist, who founded the science of stratigraphy by proving that rock strata could be dated by the fossils they contained

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smith ² British  

/ smɪθ /

noun

1. 1. a person who works in metal, esp one who shapes metal by hammering

   2. ( in combination )

      a silversmith

2. See blacksmith

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Smith ¹ Scientific  

/ smĭth /

1. American microbiologist who isolated bacterial enzymes that could split genetic DNA into fragments large enough to retain genetic information but small enough to permit chemical analysis. The existence of these compounds (called restriction enzymes) was earlier predicted by Werner Arber, and their discovery revolutionized genetic engineering. For this work Smith shared the 1978 Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine with Arber and Daniel Nathans.

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Smith, ² Scientific  

1. British-born Canadian biochemist who developed a method for making a specific genetic mutation at any spot on a DNA molecule. He shared with American biochemist Kary B. Mullis the 1993 Nobel Prize for chemistry.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• smiths
  plural

Etymology

Origin of smith

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; cognate with German Schmied, Old Norse smithr, Gothic -smitha; (v.) Middle English smithen, Old English smithian; cognate with Old Norse smitha, Gothic gasmithōn

Explanation

A smith is someone whose job involves making things out of metal. Visit a historically accurate colonial village and you might see a smith making tools or nails by hand. Smith or smithy is shorthand for blacksmith, an artisan who hammers tools and other items out of hot iron or steel. You can also use smith for a variety of other workers, especially if they make things, like a bladesmith or a coppersmith, or work with their hands, like a locksmith or a gunsmith. You can even call a writer a smith — or "wordsmith." The Proto-Indo-European root of this word means "to cut" or "work with a sharp instrument."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

smith Smith Smith, smiths

His teapot rests on a sand-filled leather bag, which typically served as a base on which a smith would hold and balance the piece he was making.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing a slime-green motorcycle thanks to the caption “@josh smith look at this sick bike.”

From Slate ● Jan. 17, 2023

"My most exciting thing was learning to write it!" enthuses Charles Edwards, who plays the elven smith Celebrimbor who forges the Rings of Power.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2022

“The #FreeBritney movement, with their laser-like focus, deserve a lot of credit for educating people on conservatorship reform,” says smith.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2021

The current Teluman smith spends months fashioning the Masks’ Serric steel armor every year.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Despite his anger, Smith told listeners he had no ill will toward the organization.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026

Speaking publicly for the first time on the row, Lord Chris Smith said academic integrity could be upheld while questioning Arday's treatment.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Chris Smith, the University of Cambridge's chancellor, told the BBC he believed it was important for such claims to be "rigorously investigated".

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

In the healthcare sector, nursing beds are being taken offline and some home-care agencies are halting admissions, said Katie Smith Sloan, chief executive of LeadingAge, which represents aging-services providers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Mrs. Smith had dropped us off and had gone to spend a few hours treating herself to “retail therapy” at the Fashion Square Mall.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Speaking publicly for the first time, Lord Chris Smith said academic integrity could be upheld while questioning Arday's treatment.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

Chris Smith, the University of Cambridge's chancellor, told the BBC he believed it was important for such claims to be "rigorously investigated".

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

In the healthcare sector, nursing beds are being taken offline and some home-care agencies are halting admissions, said Katie Smith Sloan, chief executive of LeadingAge, which represents aging-services providers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Will Smith took part in batting practice Friday and caught a bullpen session.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

“That was my brother,” Mrs. Smith said with a sad smile.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

But it was not possible to use the exact same recipe as the smiths did.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 16, 2024

It’s important to note that this is how all of the smiths I spoke to feel — this is their passion, their one true calling in life.

From The Verge ● Jun. 27, 2022

In ancient times, Damascus referred to a special type of steel created by Middle Eastern smiths.

From Slate ● Mar. 1, 2019

A docent will lead a tour of the creatures, flowers and other items made by master smiths using iron.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 29, 2016

Wildlings did not mine or smelt, and there were few smiths and fewer forges north of the Wall.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• artisan