Smudged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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smudged

[smʌdʒd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

dirty or smeared

Marked or covered with an unclean substance; messy or blurred.

Synonyms

dirty, grubby, smeared, stained.

Examples of usage

  • The mirror was smudged with fingerprints.
  • Her face was smudged with dirt.
  • The painting looked smudged and unfinished.
Context #2 | Verb

make something dirty or blurred

To make something dirty or blurred by spreading or rubbing a substance on it.

Synonyms

besmirch, smear, stain, sully.

Examples of usage

  • She accidentally smudged the ink on the paper.
  • He smudged the paint with his fingers.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Art

  • Artists sometimes intentionally create smudged effects in their work to evoke emotions or give a soft focus.
  • In charcoal drawing, smudging can create shading, enhancing the depth and texture of the piece.
  • Famous artist Leonardo da Vinci used a smudging technique called 'sfumato' to create softer transitions between colors.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that smudging can symbolize confusion or mixed feelings, triggering emotional responses in viewers.
  • The perception of a smudged image can lead to interpretations of chaos or disorder, impacting our mood.
  • People often associate smudges with mistakes, which may affect their confidence and willingness to share creations.

Everyday Life

  • Smudged glasses can be irritating, reminding us to clean them often to clear our vision.
  • During writing or drawing, smudges can occur if we don't let things dry properly, affecting the final product.
  • Children often create smudges when experimenting with colors and materials, seen as a part of their creative process.

Pop Culture

  • In many films, a smudged face or costume symbolizes a character's struggle or journey through hardship.
  • Social media trends have emerged where people embrace 'smudged' looks, showcasing imperfections as a form of beauty.
  • In graffiti art, deliberate smudging is sometimes used to convey a message about societal issues or the artist's perspective.

Origin of 'smudged'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'smyddian', which means to smear or stain.
  • It was originally used to describe smearing substances, often referring to ink or paint.
  • The suffix ‘-ed’ indicates an action has already happened, turning the base word into a past action.

The word 'smudged' originated from the Middle English word 'smogen', meaning to soil or stain. Over time, it evolved to 'smudge' in the 16th century, referring to a blurred or dirty mark. The modern usage of 'smudged' as an adjective and verb emerged in the 19th century, describing something marked or made dirty in an unclean manner.


See also: smudge, smudging.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,238, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.