First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1smear
noun \ˈsmir\
: a dirty mark, spot, streak, etc., made by touching or rubbing something
medical : a very small sample of something (such as skin or blood) that someone examines with a microscope
: an untrue story about a person that is meant to hurt that person's reputation
Full Definition of SMEAR
1
a : a viscous or sticky substance b : a spot made by or as if by an unctuous or adhesive substance
2
3
: a usually unsubstantiated charge or accusation against a person or organization —often used attributively <a smear campaign> <a smear job>
See smear defined for English-language learners
See smear defined for kids
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Origin of SMEAR
Middle English smere, from Old English smeoru; akin to Old High German smero grease and probably to Old Irish smiur marrow
Rhymes with SMEAR
2smear
transitive verb
: to make (something) dirty by rubbing it with something else
: to spread (something) over a surface
: to spread or drip in an untidy way
Full Definition of SMEAR
1
a : to overspread with something unctuous, viscous, or adhesive : daub <smeared the paper with glue> b : to spread over a surface
2
3
: to obliterate, obscure, blur, blend, wipe out, or defeat by or as if by smearing
— smear·er noun
First Known Use of SMEAR
before 12th century
SMEAR[1] Defined for Kids
1smear
verb \ˈsmir\
smearedsmear·ing
Definition of SMEAR for Kids
1
: to spread or soil with something oily or sticky <So Bean carefully smeared white all over Ivy's face except her lips. — Annie Barrows, Ivy {ampersand} Bean>
2
: to spread over a surface <Her makeup smeared.>
3
: to harm the reputation of (someone) with false statements
2smear
noun
Definition of SMEAR for Kids
: a spot or streak made by or as if by an oily or sticky substance : smudge
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