verb

mar

MAR/mɑːr/

To spoil the appearance or quality of something.

A deep scratch mars the polished tabletop.

A handsome polished wooden tabletop is marred by one conspicuous, jagged gouge exposing pale raw wood across its otherwise intact finish.

Etymology

Old English merran meant “to waste or spoil.” Its Middle English descendant included defacing and impairing something’s form or substance, directly connecting spoilage with damage to appearance or quality.

More examples

Rain marred the outdoor celebration.
The error marred an otherwise excellent report.
A stain had marred the white fabric.

Forms

mar · mars · marred · marring

Similar words

spoil: The ordinary broader alternative.
blemish: Especially suggests a visible flaw in appearance.