smudge

[ smuhj ]
/ smʌdʒ /

noun

verb (used with object), smudged, smudg·ing.

to mark with dirty streaks or smears.
to fill with smudge, as to drive away insects or protect fruit trees from frost.

verb (used without object), smudged, smudg·ing.

Origin of smudge

1400–50; late Middle English smogen (v.) < ?

OTHER WORDS FROM smudge

smudg·ed·ly, adverb smudge·less, adjective un·smudged, adjective

Words nearby smudge

smriti, sms, smsa, smsgt, smtp, smudge, smudge pot, smudging, smudgy, smug, smuggery

Words related to smudging

blot, blemish, daub, sully, blacken, spatter, spot, smut, smutch, blur, macule, defile, smirch, slop, soil, plaster, grime, blotch, taint, foul

Example sentences from the Web for smudging

British Dictionary definitions for smudging (1 of 2)

smudging
/ (ˈsmʌdʒɪŋ) /

noun

a traditional Native American method of using smoke from burning herbs to purify a space

British Dictionary definitions for smudging (2 of 2)

smudge
/ (smʌdʒ) /

verb

to smear, blur, or soil or cause to do so
(tr) mainly US and Canadian to fill (an area) with smoke in order to drive insects away or guard against frost

noun

a smear or dirty mark
a blurred form or area that smudge in the distance is a quarry
mainly US and Canadian a smoky fire for driving insects away or protecting fruit trees or plants from frost

Derived forms of smudge

smudgeless, adjective smudgily or smudgedly, adverb

Word Origin for smudge

C15: of uncertain origin