[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/smudge/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / smudge

# smudge

noun (a smudge, smudges); verb (smudge, smudges, smudged, smudging)

«smudge» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (noun) A dirty or blurred mark, like a smear of ink, paint or chocolate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#m1)
2. (verb) To make something blurred or messy by rubbing it, or to become blurred: "My writing smudged." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#m2)
3. (art) To blend chalk, charcoal or pastel on purpose with your finger to make soft shading. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#m3)

### In the lessons

In school, left-handed writers often smudge their ink; teachers ask for neat work without smudges. In art lessons smudging charcoal makes shadows and soft clouds. In stories a smudge of dirt or flour on someone's face shows they have been working or playing. Phrases: a smudge of paint, smudge-proof, smudge the ink.

### Examples

- There's a smudge of chocolate on your cheek. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#x1)
- Let the ink dry or it will smudge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#x2)
- My left hand smudged my handwriting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#x3)
- Smudge the chalk with your finger to make a soft sky. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#x4)
- The window had smudges from little fingers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#x5)
- Her mascara smudged when she cried. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/#x6)

### Note

Countable noun: a smudge, smudges. Verb past: smudged. Adjective: smudgy. Similar words: smear, blot, stain; a smudge is usually small and blurred.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «smudge» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/smudge/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«smudge» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/smudge.html) on Mova free.