smutch
/smʌtʃ/
Definition
Verb: 1. To make a smudge on; to soil by smudging: To mark or dirty a surface with a blurred, greasy, or sooty stain.
Usage
The verb "smutch" is used to describe the action of creating a dirty mark, typically one that is smeared or blurred. It often implies a stain from something like soot, ink, or dirt. - The child's fingers smutched the clean windowpane. - Be careful not to smutch the document with your ink-stained hands.
Advanced Usage
- "to be smutched": To be marked or dirtied.
- The white tablecloth was smutched with gravy.
Variants and Related Words
- Smutch can also be used as a noun, though this is less common, meaning a dirty mark or smudge.
- There was a dark smutch on the paper.
Synonyms
- Smudge: To make a blurred, dirty mark.
- Smear: To spread a substance, creating a dirty mark.
- Soil: To make dirty.
- Besmirch: To make dirty; to sully (often used figuratively for reputation).
Antonyms
- Clean: To make free from dirt.
- Purify: To remove contaminants.
- Cleanse: To make thoroughly clean.
Verb
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make a smudge on; soil by smudging
