blur

[blur]

verb (used with object)

blurred, blurring 

1. to obscure or sully (something) by smearing or with a smeary substance.

   The windows were blurred with soot.

2. to obscure by making confused in form or outline; make indistinct.

   The fog blurred the outline of the car.

   Synonyms: mask, veil, darken, dim, cloud

3. to dim the perception or susceptibility of; make dull or insensible.

   The blow on the head blurred his senses.

verb (used without object)

blurred, blurring 

1. to become indistinct.

   Everything blurred as she ran.

2. to make blurs.

noun

1. a smudge or smear that obscures.

   a blur of smoke.

2. a blurred condition; indistinctness.

   They could see nothing in the foggy blur.

3. something seen indistinctly.

   The ship appeared as a blur against the horizon.

blur

/ ˈblɜːd-, ˈblɜːrɪdlɪ, blɜː /

verb

1. to make or become vague or less distinct

   heat haze blurs the hills

   education blurs class distinctions

2. to smear or smudge

3. (tr) to make (the judgment, memory, or perception) less clear; dim

noun

1. something vague, hazy, or indistinct

2. a smear or smudge

Other Word Forms

• blurredly adverb
• blurredness noun
• blurringly adverb
• unblurred adjective
• blurriness noun
• blurred adjective
• blurry adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blur¹

First recorded in 1540–50; akin to blear

Word History and Origins

Origin of blur¹

C16: perhaps variant of _blear

Example Sentences

"It makes you blur the lines between music creativity and content - quantity over quality."

From BBC

But locals allege that such security operations - where the line between armed rebels and ordinary civilians is often blurred - are common.

From BBC

Sophie said "too many men had blurred lines of consent and a misogynistic view on life".

From BBC

The line between instructor and student is blurred from the start of the film, something Alma doesn’t seem to mind as Maggie slots herself comfortably into the role of her favorite professor’s protege.

From Salon

The fifth novel by Kitamura is narrated by an actress who meets a man claiming to be her son, with overlapping narratives that blur the lines of the characters we play and reality.

From BBC

Related Words

• darken 
• dim 
• muddy 
• obscure 
• soften