blur

[ blur ]

verb (used with object)

, blurred, blur·ring.

1. to obscure or sully (something) by smearing or with a smeary substance:

   The windows were blurred with soot.

2. to obscure by making confused in form or outline; make indistinct:

   The fog blurred the outline of the car.

   Synonyms: mask, veil, darken, dim, cloud

3. to dim the perception or susceptibility of; make dull or insensible:

   The blow on the head blurred his senses.

verb (used without object)

, blurred, blur·ring.

1. to become indistinct:

   Everything blurred as she ran.

2. to make blurs.

noun

1. a smudge or smear that obscures:

   a blur of smoke.

2. a blurred condition; indistinctness:

   They could see nothing in the foggy blur.

3. something seen indistinctly:

   The ship appeared as a blur against the horizon.

blur

/ ˈblɜːd-; ˈblɜːrɪdlɪ; blɜː /

verb

1. to make or become vague or less distinct

   heat haze blurs the hills

   education blurs class distinctions

2. to smear or smudge
3. tr to make (the judgment, memory, or perception) less clear; dim

noun

1. something vague, hazy, or indistinct
2. a smear or smudge

Derived Forms

• blurredly, adverb
• ˈblurriness, noun
• ˈblurred, adjective
• ˈblurry, adjective
• ˈblurredness, noun

Other Words From

• blur·red·ly [blur, -id-lee, blurd, -], adverb
• blurred·ness noun
• blurring·ly adverb
• un·blurred adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of blur¹

First recorded in 1540–50; akin to blear

Word History and Origins

Origin of blur¹

C16: perhaps variant of blear

Example Sentences

Conflating neo-Nazis with protesters for Palestinian human rights is in itself problematic, but blurring the hard right’s direct connection to white nationalism with “let’s be fair to both sides” comments was inexcusable.

From Los Angeles Times

Deconvolution aims to reduce blur, a certain type of image degradation introduced by the microscopic system used.

From Science Daily

For now, his future is a blur — and that’s OK with him.

From Los Angeles Times

But the British Medical Association has voiced concerns they are being asked to do tasks they are not meant to and the lines with doctors are getting blurred.

From BBC

"I lost my mum when I was 15 years old and all I remember was it being quite a bit of blur at the time of organising the funeral," she told BBC Radio Somerset.

From BBC

Related Words

• darken
• dim
• muddy
• obscure
• soften