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Blur: meaning, definitions and examples

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blur

 

[blɜːr ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

image editing

To make or become unclear or less distinct.

Synonyms

muddle, obscure, smudge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blur

Used when something is not clear to the eyes or when details are hard to see.

  • Without my glasses, everything is just a blur.
  • The fast-moving car became a blur as it passed by.
smudge

Used when something, typically a surface, has marks or is dirty in a way that causes it to lose definition.

  • There is a smudge on the mirror that needs to be cleaned.
  • Be careful with the ink; it can easily smudge on the paper.
obscure

Used when something is hidden from view or hard to understand. Often has a slightly negative or complex connotation when referring to ideas or visibility.

  • The clouds obscure the mountains.
muddle

Used when referring to a state of confusion or disorder, often describing thoughts or ideas.

  • All the different instructions muddle my mind.
  • He managed to muddle through his speech despite the lack of preparation.

Examples of usage

  • The photographer decided to blur the background to make the subject stand out.
  • The motion of the car made the picture blur.
Context #2 | Noun

optics

A thing that cannot be seen or heard clearly.

Synonyms

fuzziness, haze, smudge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blur

Used when something is unclear or hard to see, typically because it is out of focus.

  • The car sped by in a blur
  • Without my glasses, everything is a blur
haze

Used to describe a thin layer of mist, smoke, or dust in the air that makes it hard to see clearly.

  • The city was covered in a thick haze from the wildfires
  • There was a haze over the lake in the early morning
smudge

Used to describe a dirty mark, often blurry, typically caused by being rubbed or smeared.

  • There was a smudge on the window that made it difficult to see outside
  • She tried to wipe away the smudge of ink on her hand
fuzziness

Used when describing something that is unclear, often due to softness or indistinct edges.

  • The fuzziness of the TV signal made it hard to watch the show
  • There was a certain fuzziness to the fabric that made it look cozy

Examples of usage

  • The distant trees were just a blur in the fog.
  • My memory of the event is just a blur.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'blur' originates from the early 19th century, initially meaning 'to make indistinct'.
  • It is related to the Scottish word 'blurr', which describes the act of smearing.
  • The concept of blurriness has existed in different languages, often describing unclear or hazy images.

Visual Arts

  • In photography, a blur can be used artistically to convey motion or emotion.
  • Impressionist painters often utilized a blurred effect to create a sense of movement and light in their works.
  • Contemporary art sometimes explores the theme of blurriness to question perception and reality.

Psychology

  • When experiencing tiredness, vision may become blurred, influencing how we perceive our surroundings.
  • Cognitive blur refers to a state where mental clarity is lost, often seen in information overload.
  • Studies show that stressful situations can cause both physical and mental blurriness, affecting decision-making.

Technology

  • In digital imaging, different techniques can create a blur effect for aesthetic or corrective purposes.
  • Software applications often use blur filters to soften images or backgrounds, enhancing focus on a subject.
  • Augmented reality can introduce blur effects to simulate depth and realism in virtual environments.

Culture

  • The phenomenon of 'blur' is commonly referenced in songs to signify unclear feelings of love or direction.
  • The term is often used in literature to describe confusing moments or misperceptions in characters' lives.
  • Popular films may use visual blurs to depict the protagonist’s distorted memory or emotional state.

Translations

Translations of the word "blur" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desfocar

🇮🇳 धुंधला करना

🇩🇪 verschwimmen

🇮🇩 mengaburkan

🇺🇦 розмивати

🇵🇱 rozmyć

🇯🇵 ぼかす

🇫🇷 flouter

🇪🇸 desenfocar

🇹🇷 bulandırmak

🇰🇷 흐리게 하다

🇸🇦 طمس

🇨🇿 rozmazat

🇸🇰 rozmazať

🇨🇳 模糊

🇸🇮 zamegliti

🇮🇸 þoka

🇰🇿 бұлыңғыр

🇬🇪 დაბინდვა

🇦🇿 bulanıqlaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 desenfocar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,418, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.