smudge

1 of 2

verb

smudged; smudging

transitive verb

1
a
: to make a smudge on
b
: to soil as if by smudging
2
a
: to rub, daub, or wipe in a smeary manner
b
: to make indistinct : blur
smudged the writing
3
: to smoke or protect by means of a smudge

intransitive verb

1
: to make a smudge
2
: to become smudged

smudge

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a blurry spot or streak
b
: an immaterial stain
cleanse him of every last smudge of improprietyRichard Hanser
c
: an indistinct mass : blur
2
: a smoldering mass placed on the windward side (as to protect from frost)
3
: a bid of four in pitch that if made wins the game
smudgily adverb
smudginess noun
smudgy adjective

Examples of smudge in a Sentence

Verb Don't smudge the picture with your dirty hands! His face was smudged with grease. Noun His hand left a grimy smudge on the wall. the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Usually, the go-to practice for smudging an area of rancid vibes is burning incense or palo santo. Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 31 Oct. 2024 And there’s endless ways to use these — along your lashline, in your waterline, create a wing or smudge it out. Felicity Carter, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
This includes cleaning the windows at least once every six months to keep the glass free of smudges and stains and eliminate any dirt, dust, oils, or debris that may have built up on the window frame or in the window tracks. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2024 There are brushstrokes and smudges, as if the world were realized in pastels. Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for smudge 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English smogen

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of smudge was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near smudge

Cite this Entry

“Smudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smudge. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

smudge

1 of 2 verb
smudged; smudging
1
a
: to make a smudge on
b
: to soil as if by smudging
2
: to make a smudge
a chalk that does not smudge
3
: to become smudged
charcoal drawings smudge easily

smudge

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a blurry spot or streak : smear
2
: a fire made to smoke (as for protecting fruit from frost)
smudgy adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on smudge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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