verb
smear
smeer
verb
1
To spread a soft or sticky substance across a surface, often messily.
"She smeared sunscreen across her shoulders."
"Paint smeared across the canvas as he dragged the brush."
2
To damage someone's reputation with false or misleading accusations.
"The tabloid tried to smear the candidate with unfounded rumors."
"His rivals smeared him online before the election."
noun
1
A false, damaging claim meant to harm someone's reputation.
"The politician dismissed the story as a smear."
2
A medical test made by spreading a thin sample on a slide, especially a cervical screening test.
"She went in for her routine smear test."
How to Use Smear
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo spread something messily across a surface, or to attack someone's reputation with false claims.
Common pairings
smear campaign
smear tactics
smear test
smear grease on
Word Forms
smeared past tense, smears plural, smears singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “smear”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ sunscreen across her shoulders.
Etymology
From Old English smerian, "to rub with grease or oil," related to German schmieren and the word "schmear."