Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [smeer]
- /smɪər/
- /smɪər/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [smeer]
- /smɪər/
Definitions of smear word
- verb with object smear to spread or daub (an oily, greasy, viscous, or wet substance) on or over something: to smear butter on bread. 1
- verb with object smear to spread or daub an oily, greasy, viscous, or wet substance on: to smear bread with butter. 1
- verb with object smear to stain, spot, or make dirty with something oily, greasy, viscous, or wet. 1
- verb with object smear to sully, vilify, or soil (a reputation, good name, etc.). 1
- verb with object smear to smudge or blur, as by rubbing: The signature was smeared. 1
- verb with object smear Slang. to defeat decisively; overwhelm: They smeared the home team. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of smear
First appearance:
before 900 One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; (v.) Middle English smeren, smirien to rub with fat, anoint, Old English smirian, smerian, smerwan; cognate with Dutch smeren, German schmieren, Old Norse smyrja, smyrwa; (noun) in current senses derivative of the v.; compare obsolete smear fat, grease, ointment, Middle English smere, Old English smeoru, cognate with Dutch smear, German Schmer, Old Norse smjǫr grease, Greek smýris rubbing powder; see emery
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Smear
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
smear popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 96% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
smear usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for smear
verb smear
- abuse — Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
- anoint — To anoint someone means to put oil or water on a part of their body, usually for religious reasons.
- apply — If you apply for something such as a job or membership of an organization, you write a letter or fill in a form in order to ask formally for it.
- asperse — to spread false rumours about; defame
- backstab — to attack in a deceitful manner
noun smear
- ad hominem — directed against a person rather than against his arguments
- aspersion — a disparaging or malicious remark; slanderous accusation (esp in the phrase cast aspersions (on))
- black eye — If someone has a black eye, they have a dark-coloured bruise around their eye.
- black mark — A black mark against someone is something bad that they have done or a bad quality that they have which affects the way people think about them.
- brickbat — Brickbats are very critical or insulting remarks which are made in public about someone or something.
Top questions with smear
- what is a pap smear?
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