Smear

Quick meaning: Smear is a verb meaning (transitive) To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.

Meaning

(transitive) To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To cover (a surface with a layer of some substance) by rubbing.
2. (transitive) To make something dirty.
3. (transitive) (of a substance, etc.) To make a surface dirty by covering it.
4. (transitive) To cause (something) to be messy or not clear by rubbing and spreading it.
5. (intransitive) To become messy or not clear by being spread.
6. (transitive) To write or draw (something) by spreading a substance on a surface.
7. (transitive, derogatory) To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about them, their statements, or their actions.

Example Sentences

She smeared her lips with lipstick.

The artist smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes.

Then you would kneel and smear a handful of pomade through my hair, comb it over.

A person smeared with the excrement of a mouse was rendered impotent, according to Pliny the Elder.

Word Forms

• smears
• smearing
• smeared

Synonyms for smear

Depending on context, synonyms include apply, daub, plaster, spread, bedaub, coat.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include besmear, smudge, smirch, bedaub, smutch, blot.

Related Dictionary Tools