Smeary

Smeary describes something that is covered in a smeared substance, or appears blurred, indistinct, or lacking in sharp definition because of the presence of something spread unevenly across a surface. It can refer to the physical state of something or describe a visual or sensory experience. The effect of something being smeary is generally considered undesirable, implying a messiness, lack of clarity, or a diminished quality. The term often relates to the application or presence of liquids, paints, inks, or even substances like food, creating a blurred or indistinct impression due to the uneven distribution of the substance.

Smeary meaning with examples

• The child's artwork was a vibrant but smeary collection of finger paints. Bright colours blended chaotically across the paper. Though filled with energy, the lack of clean lines made the details difficult to discern. She giggled, oblivious to the smeary outcome, and simply enjoyed the tactile and visual experience. The result highlighted the raw expressive freedom of childhood.
• After the rainstorm, the car windows were smeary with a combination of water and road grime. The driver struggled to see the road ahead. The visibility was significantly reduced, forcing him to drive slowly. The wipers were inadequate and made the problem worse, making the already smeary windows even more problematic. This created a stressful driving environment.
• The chef's plating was unfortunately smeary, with sauce spread unevenly around the edge of the plate. This detracted from the careful arrangement of the main ingredients. The lack of precision lessened the impact. The dish's potential beauty was overshadowed by its sloppy presentation, ultimately making it less appetizing. The chef had rushed his presentation.
• The photograph developed in the darkroom showed a smeary image, lacking the crispness and clarity the photographer desired. The light leaked, causing the blurriness. The image felt indistinct. Despite careful attempts, it created a negative experience and was a frustrating outcome of the developing process. This meant that the picture was unusable.