rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysmudgeSmeared mark
noun / verb

smudge

SMUJ/smʌdʒ/

A blurred or dirty mark, or to make such a mark by rubbing.

A dark charcoal smudge streaks across the white ceramic plate.

A clean white ceramic plate bears a single conspicuous charcoal-gray smudge, with a dark center dragged into soft, dirty streaks.
Etymology
smudgeMiddle Englishto soil or smear

Middle English smogen meant to soil or smear something with dirt. The noun names the mark left by that action; the verb’s deeper origin is obscure.

In context

Andrew Huberman77:59
to be clear. Just like when the screen of your phone gets dirty, like when Costello's texting on my phone, and I pick it up, and it's like covered with smudge, to clean it off
The Science of Vision, Eye Health & Seeing Better

More examples

  • Don't touch the wet ink or you'll smudge it.
  • She rubs her eyes and smudges her mascara.
  • The kids leave sticky smudges on the window.

Forms

smudge · smudges · smudged · smudging

smudgy adjective — Marked with blurred or dirty spots.

Similar words

smear
Emphasizes material spread across a surface, often by rubbing.
stain
Usually suggests discoloration that soaks in or resists removal.
blur
Emphasizes lost sharpness or clarity, not necessarily dirt.