Definition

1. Noun:

   • A mark, spot, or flaw that spoils the appearance of something, especially on a surface or a person's skin.
   • A fault or defect that mars the perfection or completeness of something, including abstract qualities like a reputation.

2. Verb:

   • To spoil the appearance or quality of something by adding a mark, flaw, or defect.
   • To mar or impair the perfection or completeness of something.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:

  • The antique vase was valuable, but it had a small blemish on its base.
  • She uses concealer to cover a minor blemish on her cheek.
  • The scandal was a blemish on his otherwise spotless career.

• Verb:

  • A single act of graffiti can blemish an otherwise beautiful building.
  • The accident blemished the car's pristine paintwork.
  • He didn't want to blemish his record with a late payment.

Advanced Usage

• "without blemish": Perfect; flawless; free from any defect or imperfection.

  • The inspector certified the fruit as being without blemish.
  • He was described as a lamb without blemish in the religious text.

• "blemish one's reputation/character": To damage or tarnish someone's good name or moral standing.

  • The false accusations were an attempt to blemish her reputation.

Variants and Related Words

• Blemished (adj): Having one or more blemishes; flawed or spoiled in appearance.

  • The store sold the blemished apples at a discount.

• Blemish-free (adj): Completely free from any marks, spots, or flaws.

  • She has remarkably blemish-free skin.

Synonyms

• Noun: Flaw, defect, imperfection, mark, spot, stain, fault, disfigurement.
• Verb: Mar, spoil, disfigure, deface, tarnish, stain, impair.

Antonyms

• Noun: Perfection, flawlessness.
• Verb: Perfect, enhance, beautify, repair.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A fly in the ointment: This idiom refers to a minor flaw or drawback that spoils something positive, similar to how a blemish mars appearance.

  • The weather was the only fly in the ointment during our perfect vacation.

• The apple of one's eye: This phrase denotes something or someone cherished and considered perfect. Its opposite would be to view something as blemished.

  • His daughter was the apple of his eye.

Noun

1. a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)
   • a facial blemish

Verb

1. add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective
2. mar or impair with a flaw
   • her face was blemished
3. mar or spoil the appearance of
   • scars defaced her cheeks
   • The vandals disfigured the statue