smudge
[ smuhj ]
/ smʌdʒ /
noun
verb (used with object), smudged, smudg·ing.
to mark with dirty streaks or smears.
to fill with smudge, as to drive away insects or protect fruit trees from frost.
verb (used without object), smudged, smudg·ing.
RELATED CONTENT
Origin of smudge
1400–50; late Middle English smogen (v.) < ?
Related formssmudg·ed·ly, adverbsmudge·less, adjectiveun·smudged, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for smudge
British Dictionary definitions for smudge
smudge
/ (smʌdʒ) /
verb
to smear, blur, or soil or cause to do so
(tr) mainly US and Canadian to fill (an area) with smoke in order to drive insects away or guard against frost
noun
a smear or dirty mark
a blurred form or areathat smudge in the distance is a quarry
mainly US and Canadian a smoky fire for driving insects away or protecting fruit trees or plants from frost
Derived Formssmudgeless, adjectivesmudgily or smudgedly, adverb
Word Origin for smudge
C15: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for smudge
smudge
early 15c., smogen "to soil, stain, blacken," of obscure origin. Related: Smudged; smudging. Meaning "make a smoky fire" is from 1860, hence smudge-pot (1903). The noun meaning "a stain, spot, smear" is first attested 1768, from the verb.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper