smutch
Americanverb (used with object)
noun
-
a smudge or stain.
-
dirt, grime, or smut.
verb
noun
-
a mark; smudge
-
soot; dirt
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of smutch
1520–30; perhaps < Middle High German smutzen to smear; compare German Schmutz smut
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.
She hadn’t done anything to me, and the smutch of the mud against her blue gown — the prettiest dress I ever saw.
From "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village" by Laura Amy Schlitz
They were alert, well-muscled; their faces were streaked with paleness and a black smutch like dancers made up for a masquerade.
From Tramping on Life An Autobiographical Narrative by Harry Kemp
O!" said they, "how sad a smutch on Our clean United Kingdom's 'scutcheon!
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, May 20, 1914 by Sir Owen Seaman
The palm is hardly clean— But here and there an ugly smutch appears.
From The Task and Other Poems by William Cowper
You do not ken me for the thing I am: If you but guessed, you’d fling the door wide open, And draw your petticoats about you tight, Lest any draggletail of mine should smutch them.
From Krindlesyke by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
