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

Amazon officials have said that blurring the lines between its grocery brands can help the company capture more of Americans’ spending on food.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When the external ladder feels shaky, many turn inward or sideways, experimenting with astrology, breathwork, or incense-lit rituals that blur the line between spirituality and self-care.

Read more on Barron's

Roth’s fiction drew heavily on his own life and literary reputation in ways that blurred imagination and reality.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The landscape outside was now just a green blur, occasionally broken by a flicker of gray as a town flew past.

Read more on Literature

“The distinct line between the judiciary, the legislature and politics is blurring,” said Charles Geyh, a law professor at Indiana University Bloomington who specializes in judicial ethics.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• darken 
• dim 
• muddy 
• obscure 
• soften