# smear

> English word · Verb · IPA /smɪə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #15,912

## Definitions
1. To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.
2. To cover (a surface with a layer of some substance) by rubbing.
3. To make something dirty.
4. (of a substance, etc.) To make a surface dirty by covering it.
5. To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about them, their statements, or their actions.
6. To cause (something) to be messy or not clear by rubbing and spreading it.
7. To become messy or not clear by being spread.
8. To write or draw (something) by spreading a substance on a surface.
9. To cause (something) to be a particular colour by covering with a substance.
10. To rub (a body part, etc.) across a surface.
11. To attempt to remove (a substance) from a surface by rubbing.
12. To climb without using footholds, using the friction from the shoe to stay on the wall.

## Etymology
From Middle English smeren, smerien, from Old English smerian, smyrian, smierwan (“to anoint or rub with grease, oil, etc.”), from Proto-West Germanic *smirwijan, from Proto-Germanic *smirwijaną. Doublet of schmear.
Cognate with Saterland Frisian smeere, Dutch smeren, Low German smeren, German schmieren.

## Easily confused with
- **star** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-star)
- **soar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-soar)
- **spar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-spar)
- **speak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-speak)
- **sugar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-sugar)
- **solar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-solar)
- **steam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-steam)
- **swear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-swear)
- **smell** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-smell)
- **steal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-steal)
- **sweat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-sweat)
- **sneak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-sneak)
- **steak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-steak)
- **steer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-steer)
- **spear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-spear)
- **sonar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-sonar)
- **stead** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-stead)
- **smelt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-smelt)
- **sneer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-sneer)
- **speer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/smear-vs-speer)

## Common misspellings (7)
`msear`, `semar`, `smaer`, `smearr`, `smera`, `smmear`, `ssmear`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/smear