besmear

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /bɪˈsmɪə/

KK: /bɪˈsmɪr/

transitive verb

Definition

To cover or spread a substance over a surface, often in a messy or uneven way.

Example

She decided to besmear the cake with frosting before serving it.

Tense Forms

Past: besmeared

Past Participle: besmeared

Conversation

I accidentally besmeared my shirt with paint today.

Oh no! That’s the worst when that happens.

Yeah, I was trying to be careful but it just slipped.

At least it was just a shirt, right? You can always wash it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

smear

daub

spread

Antonyms

clean

purify

remove

Root Explanation

Besmear is formed from the prefix "be-" (meaning to cover or affect) and the root "smear" (from Old English "smerian", meaning to spread or smear). The word describes the action of covering something with a substance, typically in a messy or thick manner.

Memory Tip

Think of 'covering' something ('be-') with a 'spread' ('smear') — that's why besmear means to cover something with a substance.

Visually Confused Words

besomer

beshear