smear
B2Neutral to formal (for the reputational sense); informal (for the literal, messy sense).
Definition
Meaning
To spread a soft, sticky, or greasy substance over a surface, often in a messy or careless way.
To damage someone's reputation by making false or malicious accusations; to blur or make indistinct; to apply (e.g., paint, makeup) in a broad, unrefined manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word bridges concrete physical action (spreading a substance) and abstract social action (damaging reputation). The reputational sense is dominant in news/political contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all senses. The noun 'smear' for a medical test (e.g., Pap smear) is slightly more common in AmE but understood in BrE.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotation in the reputational sense ('a smear campaign').
Frequency
The reputational sense ('smear campaign') is equally frequent in political discourse in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
smear something on/over somethingsmear something with somethingsmear something (reputation)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “smear campaign”
- “a smear on his character”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in crisis management ('allegations are a smear').
Academic
Used in biology/medicine ('a tissue smear'), and in political science ('smear tactics').
Everyday
Literal: 'The child smeared jam on the table.' Figurative: 'Don't smear her name.'
Technical
In medicine: 'Pap smear'. In microscopy: 'preparing a smear slide'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The article was a complete smear.
- The doctor took a cervical smear.
American English
- He called the allegations a political smear.
- The lab analyzed the blood smear.
verb
British English
- He tried to smear his opponent in the press.
- She smeared sunscreen on her arms.
American English
- The ads smeared the candidate's record.
- He smeared peanut butter on the bread.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adjective.
American English
- Not commonly used as a standalone adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby smeared food on his face.
- There's a smear of chocolate on your shirt.
- She smeared butter on the toast.
- The window had a dirty smear.
- The journalist was accused of trying to smear the minister.
- They launched a smear campaign against him.
- The attempt to smear her character backfired spectacularly, galvanizing public support.
- The artist smeared the oils broadly across the canvas, creating a hazy effect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SMEAR' as 'Spread Messily, Earning A Reputation' – linking the physical and reputational meanings.
Conceptual Metaphor
REPUTATION IS CLEANLINESS / A damaging accusation is a dirty stain.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'мазать' for the reputational sense; use 'очернять', 'клеветать'. For the noun, 'мазок' is correct for medical context, but 'клевета' for reputation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'smear' for a gentle application (use 'apply'). Confusing 'smear' (intentional damage) with 'rumour' (unverified information).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'smear' used in a neutral/technical way?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes, especially in social contexts. In technical contexts (medicine, art), it can be neutral, describing an action without judgement.
'Slander' is a specific legal term for spoken defamation. 'Smear' is broader, often referring to a sustained effort using any means (rumours, leaked information) to damage reputation, and is not a legal term.
Rarely and awkwardly. Its core meaning involves a messy, unrefined, or damaging spread. One would not 'smear kindness'.
It's a common term for a cervical screening test (Pap smear), where cells are collected from the cervix to check for abnormalities.