smudge

1 of 2

verb

ˈsməj 

smudged; smudging

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a smudge on

b

: to soil as if by smudging

2

a

: to rub, daub, or wipe in a smeary manner

b

: to make indistinct : blur

smudged the writing

3

: to smoke or protect by means of a smudge

intransitive verb

1

: to make a smudge

2

: to become smudged

smudge

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a blurry spot or streak

b

: an immaterial stain

… cleanse him of every last smudge of impropriety …

—Richard Hanser

c

: an indistinct mass : blur

2

: a smoldering mass placed on the windward side (as to protect from frost)

3

: a bid of four in pitch that if made wins the game

smudgily

ˈsmə-jə-lē 

adverb

smudginess

ˈsmə-jē-nəs 

noun

smudgy

ˈsmə-jē 

adjective

Synonyms of smudge

Verb

• stain
• dirty
• blacken

Noun

• stain
• taint
• blot

Examples of smudge in a Sentence

Verb

Don't smudge the picture with your dirty hands!

His face was smudged with grease.

Noun

His hand left a grimy smudge on the wall.

the president's spouse must not have the slightest smudge of scandal

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Many Catholics will attend a mass where the priests will smudge ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

Then move on to large appliance fronts—specifically, those stainless steel fridges and ovens that are easily smudged. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026

Noun

Nearly 500 Angelenos at the Mass received the smudge of a cross on their foreheads, made from the ashes of the palms burned on Palm Sunday, a symbol of repentance for one’s sins. —Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026

Eyeglasses Protect your eyeglasses and clear vision by using special optic cleaning cloths to remove smudges since microfiber cloths can cause delicate scratches on special anti-reflective and mirror coatings. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English smogen

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for smudge

• budge
• drudge
• frage
• fudge
• grudge
• judge
• mudge
• nudge
• rudge
• sludge
• trudge
• adjudge

Kids Definition

smudge

1 of 2 verb

ˈsməj 

smudged; smudging

1

a

: to make a smudge on

b

: to soil as if by smudging

2

: to make a smudge

a chalk that does not smudge

3

: to become smudged

charcoal drawings smudge easily

smudge

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a blurry spot or streak : smear

b

: stain entry 2 sense 2

2

: a fire made to smoke (as for protecting fruit from frost)

smudgy

ˈsməj-ē 

adjective