smear

[[t]smɪ͟ə(r)[/t]]

smears, smearing, smeared

1) VERB If you smear a surface with an oily or sticky substance or smear the substance onto the surface, you spread a layer of the substance over the surface.

[V n with n] My sister smeared herself with suntan oil and slept by the swimming pool...

[V n prep] Smear a little olive oil over the inside of the salad bowl.

2) N-COUNT: oft N of n A smear is a dirty or oily mark.

There was a smear of gravy on his chin.

3) VERB To smear someone means to spread unpleasant and untrue rumours or accusations about them in order to damage their reputation. [JOURNALISM]

[V n] The BBC last night launched an inquiry into an apparently crude attempt to smear its director-general.

Syn:

sully

4) N-COUNT: oft N n A smear is an unpleasant and untrue rumour or accusation that is intended to damage someone's reputation. [JOURNALISM]

He puts all the accusations down to a smear campaign by his political opponents.

Syn:

slur

5) N-COUNT A smear or a smear test is a medical test in which a few cells are taken from a woman's cervix and examined to see if any cancer cells are present. [BRIT]

(in AM, use , pap test)