blur
Americanverb (used with object)
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to obscure or sully (something) by smearing or with a smeary substance.
The windows were blurred with soot.
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to obscure by making confused in form or outline; make indistinct.
The fog blurred the outline of the car.
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to dim the perception or susceptibility of; make dull or insensible.
The blow on the head blurred his senses.
verb (used without object)
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to become indistinct.
Everything blurred as she ran.
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to make blurs.
noun
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a smudge or smear that obscures.
a blur of smoke.
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a blurred condition; indistinctness.
They could see nothing in the foggy blur.
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something seen indistinctly.
The ship appeared as a blur against the horizon.
verb
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to make or become vague or less distinct
heat haze blurs the hills
education blurs class distinctions
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to smear or smudge
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(tr) to make (the judgment, memory, or perception) less clear; dim
noun
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something vague, hazy, or indistinct
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a smear or smudge
Other Word Forms
- blurred adjective
- blurredly adverb
- blurredness noun
- blurriness noun
- blurringly adverb
- blurry adjective
- unblurred adjective
Etymology
Origin of blur
First recorded in 1540–50; akin to blear
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With CGI-enhanced action, thunderous fight sequences and dialogue like, "I enter politics not to plunder, but to serve", the film blurs fiction and intent.
From BBC
Traditional approaches to analyzing MEG data often rely on averaging signals, which can blur important details about how individual neurons behave.
From Science Daily
However, he says the bill blurs the line between hate speech and hate crime.
From BBC
At the same time, the promise of stable white-collar jobs feels less secure as automation and artificial intelligence reshape labor markets and blur the distinction between degree holders and nondegree workers.
It certainly blurs certain boundaries, and does not allow you a healthy and clean break postbreakup.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
