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lisse

smooth

adjective LEES Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Textures

Also means

sleek, even

Usage Note

Lisse is invariable for gender (same form for masculine and feminine: un mur lisse / une peau lisse), which makes it easy to use. It describes surfaces that are flat, smooth, and without texture. In hair care, lissant ('smoothing') and lisseur ('hair straightener') derive from it. The word also appears figuratively: un discours trop lisse ('a speech that's too polished / bland').

Examples

"La surface du marbre est parfaitement lisse."

Natural Translation

The marble surface is perfectly smooth.

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