smeared
smeared — verb
- smearedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- smeareds3rd person singular
- smeareding-ing form
- smearededpast simple
1. to rub a soft, oily, or wet substance across a surface so that it forms an untid
to rub a soft, oily, or wet substance across a surface so that it forms an untidy layer or mark.
Romi smeared thick sunscreen over both shoulders before the long beach walk.
smear + substance + over + body part
The toddler smeared chocolate all across the clean kitchen table.
smear + substance + across + surface
Wet paint smeared along the wall when Lukas leaned his bag against it.
Gita smeared a little butter on each slice of warm bread.
Rain smeared the dust on the car windows into long grey streaks.
- wipe
to remove the substance instead of leaving it
文法句型
smear + substance + on/over + surface
smear + surface + with + substance
用法筆記
Object is usually something thick or sticky (cream, mud, paint, jam); you smear it 'on', 'over', or 'across' a surface. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about damaging a reputation, not a physical surface.
常見錯誤
2. to say untrue or unfair things about someone in public so that other people stop
to say untrue or unfair things about someone in public so that other people stop trusting or respecting them.
Rival candidates tried to smear Walid with stories that nobody could prove.
smear + person + with + false claims
The newspaper smeared the young mayor as lazy and dishonest before the vote.
smear + person + as + accusation
Putri felt the gossip was meant to smear her in front of the office.
Online posts smeared the doctor for weeks, though every claim was later shown false.
Christopher refused to smear his old business partner just to win the contract.
文法句型
smear + person
smear + person + as + accusation
用法筆記
Object is a person, group, or their name; the accusations are public and usually false or exaggerated. Often passive ('was smeared'). Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a physical substance or surface.
常見錯誤
smeared — noun
1. an untidy mark left when a soft or oily substance is rubbed across a surface.
an untidy mark left when a soft or oily substance is rubbed across a surface.
There was a greasy smear on the window where the child had pressed her nose.
smear on + surface
Xiu wiped a smear of jam off the corner of the table.
a smear of + substance
Sora noticed a dark smear of oil along the bottom of the white door.
The mirror was covered in smears, so Eve cleaned it with a soft cloth.
A red smear of paint ran down the side of the new fence.
文法句型
a smear of + substance
smear on + surface
用法筆記
Usually paired with a preposition: 'a smear of [substance]' or 'a smear on [surface]'. Countable, so you can have one smear or several smears. Distinguish from sense 2, an attack on a reputation.
常見錯誤
2. a public and usually false claim made to damage someone's good name.
a public and usually false claim made to damage someone's good name.
Rodrigo called the article a cheap smear designed to ruin his career.
smear used to ruin a reputation
The whole smear against the nurse fell apart once the records were checked.
a smear against + person
Voters grew tired of the endless smears traded between the two parties.
Sivan said the rumour was a deliberate smear started by a jealous rival.
Reporters described the leaked photos as part of a wider smear campaign.
- slur
a short insulting remark; a smear is usually a fuller accusation
- slander
spoken false statement; more legal in tone
- accusation
neutral; a smear is specifically meant to harm and is often untrue
- tribute
a public statement that honours someone
文法句型
a smear against + person
a smear campaign
用法筆記
Often appears in 'smear campaign' — an organised effort to harm a reputation. The claim is presented as fact but is usually unproven. Distinguish from sense 1, a physical mark on a surface.
常見錯誤
3. a thin layer of cells or fluid placed on glass so a doctor can study it under a
a thin layer of cells or fluid placed on glass so a doctor can study it under a microscope.
The nurse took a smear and sent it straight to the hospital laboratory.
take a smear (collect a sample)
Camille booked a smear test as part of her yearly health check.
collocation: smear test
Under the microscope, the blood smear showed the cells very clearly.
Chidi waited two weeks for the results of his throat smear.
Doctors study a smear on a slide to look for early signs of disease.
文法句型
smear test
take a smear
用法筆記
Common in 'smear test' and named samples like 'blood smear' or 'cervical smear'. The medicine domain sets this apart from senses 1 and 2; here the thin layer is collected on purpose for study.