blemish

1 of 2

verb

blem·​ish ˈble-mish 

blemished; blemishing; blemishes

transitive verb

: to spoil by a flaw

blemish

2 of 2

noun

: a noticeable imperfection

especially : one that seriously impairs appearance

Synonyms

Verb

• mar
• taint
• stain
• spoil
• poison
• darken
• tarnish

Noun

• defect
• blotch
• scar
• mark

Examples of blemish in a Sentence

Verb

A series of burn marks blemish the table's surface.

The incident blemished his reputation.

Noun

The cream is supposed to prevent blemishes on the skin.

The table had a few scratches and minor blemishes.

The book fails to mention any of the organization's many blemishes.

The incident was a blemish on his record.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Amorim cupped his hand round the back of Casemiro’s neck as the midfielder’s eyes focused down on the turf, a man possibly contemplating how his perfect record in five Champions League finals had become blemished with a loss in the equivalent in Europe’s second-tier competition. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025

If the stalks are limp, rubbery, blemished, or dry and wood-like, and the tips mushy and discolored, then take a pass. —Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025

Noun

Even with the slightest of blemishes, Skubal remained locked in. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 30 June 2025

The skin should be smooth, without wrinkle or blemishes. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English blemisshen, to damage, injure, sully, from Anglo-French blemiss-, stem of blemir, blesmir, from Old French, literally, to make pale by wounding, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German blasros horse with a blaze, Old Norse blesi blaze — more at blaze

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for blemish

• flemish

Kids Definition

blemish

noun

blem·​ish

ˈblem-ish

: a mark that makes something imperfect

blemish verb

Medical Definition

blemish

noun

blem·​ish ˈblem-ish 

: a mark of physical deformity or injury: as

a

: any small mark on the skin (as a pimple or birthmark)

blemishes symptomatic of acne

b

: a defect of an animal (as a horse) that detracts from its appearance but does not interfere with its usefulness