smutted; smutting
: to become affected by smut
1
: matter that soils or blackens
specifically
: a particle of soot
2
: any of various destructive diseases especially of cereal grasses caused by parasitic basidiomycetous fungi (order Ustilaginales) and marked by transformation of plant parts into dark masses of spores
also
: a fungus causing a smut
3
: obscene language or matter
Examples of smut in a Sentence
Noun
Smut is not allowed in this house.
obscenity laws that aimed to stamp out smut
Recent Examples on the Web
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
The Valentine’s Day designs include one for book lovers, smut readers, hearts, pink plaid and an advocacy one on human rights.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
february 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
As a result of the fervor and accolades, plenty of critics and fans are already ringing the Emmy bell for the series, hoping that, for the first time, gay hockey smut can net some hardware from the Television Academy.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 22 Dec. 2025
Spread Me offers far more than weird smut, however.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smut
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
While some literary purists have panned Fennell and Robbie (who produced the film) for smut-ifying an icon of the American bookshelf, their critiques haven't seemed to sway audiences.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
The Valentine’s Day designs include one for book lovers, smut readers, hearts, pink plaid and an advocacy one on human rights.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee
february 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
As a result of the fervor and accolades, plenty of critics and fans are already ringing the Emmy bell for the series, hoping that, for the first time, gay hockey smut can net some hardware from the Television Academy.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 22 Dec. 2025
Spread Me offers far more than weird smut, however.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smut
Cite this Entry
“Smut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smut. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
smut
1 of 2 verb
smutted; smutting
1
: to stain, soil, or affect (a crop or plant) with smut
2
: to become affected by smut
smut
2 of 2 noun1
: matter that soils or blackens
especially
: a particle of soot
2
: any of various destructive diseases of plants caused by fungi that transform plant organs (as seeds) into dark masses of spores
also
: a fungus that causes a smut
3
: indecent language, pictures, or writing
Medical Definition
smut
noun
: any of various destructive diseases especially of cereal grasses caused by parasitic fungi (order Ustilaginales)
also
: a fungus causing a smut
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