Smear
/smɪər/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo spread or coat something on a surface, often thickly and unevenly.
/smɪər/
To spread a substance on a surface.
The artist smeared the paint onto the canvas with his fingers.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're putting peanut butter on bread, but it's messy and not perfectly spread. That's like smearing! For example, if you smear frosting on a cake, it's spread around but maybe not neat.
👶 For kids: To spread something messy on a surface, like spreading jelly on your toast.
More Examples
He accidentally smeared the chocolate on his shirt.
How It's Used
"She smeared butter on the toast."
"He smeared the paint across the canvas."
To damage someone's reputation by making false or malicious statements about them.
/smɪər/
To damage someone's reputation.
The newspaper published an article that smeared the politician's character.
💡 Simply: It's like throwing mud at someone to make them look bad. People might try to smear someone's name to ruin their chances of getting a job, getting elected, or simply to make them look bad. For example, a political candidate might try to smear their opponent by spreading lies about them.
👶 For kids: To say bad things about someone to hurt their reputation, like spreading a messy rumor.
More Examples
She felt the accusations were designed to smear her in the public eye.
How It's Used
"The candidate tried to smear his opponent with false accusations."
"The tabloids were accused of smearing the celebrity's reputation."
A mark or stain caused by a substance being spread unevenly.
/smɪər/
A mark or stain made by smearing.
He noticed a smear of lipstick on the mirror.
💡 Simply: A smudge or mark left behind when something is spread or rubbed on a surface. For example, if you accidentally get ketchup on your shirt, that's a smear.
👶 For kids: A messy mark or smudge.
More Examples
The forensic team collected a blood smear for analysis.
How It's Used
"Investigators found a blood smear on the wall."
"There was a smear of grease on the window."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
smear campaign
A deliberate and coordinated effort to damage someone's reputation, typically in politics or business.
"The politician was the victim of a smear campaign before the election."
From Middle English *smeren*, from Old English *smerian* ('to anoint, daub'), from Proto-Germanic *smerwōną* ('to smear').
The verb 'smear' has been used since Old English times, with meanings relating to anointing or covering a surface. The sense of damaging reputation evolved later.
Memory tip
Think of spreading butter - it gets smeared on the bread.
Word Origin
"to anoint or daub"