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smirch

[ smurch ]
/ smɜrtʃ /
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verb (used with object)
to discolor or soil; spot or smudge with or as with soot, dust, dirt, etc.
to sully or tarnish (a person, reputation, character, etc.); disgrace; discredit.
noun
a dirty mark or smear, as of soot, dust, dirt, etc.
a stain or blot, as on reputation.
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Origin of smirch

First recorded in 1485–95; origin uncertain

OTHER WORDS FROM smirch

smirchless, adjectiveun·smirched, adjective

Words nearby smirch

smile on, Smiles, smiley, smilodon, smir, smirch, smirk, smirting, smish, smit, smitch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to smirch

besmear, besmirch, bespatter, blacken, blemish, blot, blotch, contaminate, degrade, dirty, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, pollute, smear, smudge, soil, stain, sully, taint

How to use smirch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smirch

smirch
/ (smɜːtʃ) /
verb (tr)
to dirty; soil
noun
the act of smirching or state of being smirched
a smear or stain

Derived forms of smirch

smircher, noun

Word Origin for smirch

C15 smorchen, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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