blur

1 of 2

noun

ˈblər 

1

: a smear or stain that obscures

2

: something vaguely or indistinctly perceived

The words are just a blur without his glasses.

The whole weekend is a blur to me.

especially : something moving or occurring too quickly to be clearly seen

passed by in a blur of motion

blur

2 of 2

verb

blurred; blurring

transitive verb

1

: to obscure or blemish by smearing

windows blurred by fingerprints

2

: sully

… an act that blurs the grace and blush of modesty.

—Shakespeare

3

: to make dim, indistinct, or vague in outline or character

His vision was blurred.

digitally blur the edges of photographs

blurring the line between fact and fiction

4

: to make cloudy or confused

time had begun to blur her senses

—W. A. White

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make blurs

… the moths tapped and blurred at the window screen …

—R. P. Warren

b

: move too quickly to be seen clearly

… it's like the … ride of a traveling carnival, with eerie lights and sharp turns on the rails and the odd unsettling image that blurs past you.

—Adrian McKinty

2

: to become vague or indistinct

distinctions between the two are beginning to blur

blurringly

ˈblər-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Verb

• becloud
• befog
• cloud
• confuse
• fog
• muddy
• obfuscate

Examples of blur in a Sentence

Verb

The tears in my eyes blurred the words on the page.

His novel is based on historical occurrences but it blurs the line between fact and fiction.

The two events have blurred together in my mind.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Torri’s memory, everything that happened next is a blur. —Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2024

Yet again, tourism and travel blur together as a result of rigorous, critical study. —Tyler Thier, JSTOR Daily, 21 Oct. 2024

Verb

Simply sweep on your favorite hue with your finger tips and blend at the crease for blurred, yet vivid color in seconds. —Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

His transformation is both physical and psychological, a deterioration that blurs humanity and monstrosity, pushing boundaries of on-screen horror with a level of realism enhanced by Chris Walas’ groundbreaking practical effects, which garnered an Academy Award for Best Makeup. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

perhaps akin to Middle English bleren to blear

First Known Use

Noun

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1520, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

blur

1 of 2 noun

ˈblər 

1

: a smear or stain that dims but does not completely cover

2

: something vague or lacking definite outline

blurry

-ē

adjective

blur

2 of 2 verb

blurred; blurring

1

: to make hard to see or read by smearing

2

: to make or become vague or unclear