smutch

Soot stain left

A smutch is a smudge or sooty mark—a dark stain left by contact with something dirty.

To smutch is to make such a mark: The chimney sweep smutched the wallpaper with his sleeve.

The word is rare and old-fashioned, largely replaced by smudge.

action

smear

Spread or defame

  • rubApply friction manually
  • soilGround matter for planting
  • blackenMake or become dark

dirty · streak · besmirch · begrime · sully · defile · daub · wipe · transfer · spread

mark

streak

Unbroken series

splotch · fingerprint · thumbprint · discoloration · blemish · blur · darkening · dirty mark

substance

soot

Carbon from incomplete burning

  • grimeIngrained surface dirt
  • coal dustPowdered carbon fuel remnant
  • ashCombustion's powdery remains

charcoal · dirt · chimney soot · fireplace ash · lampblack · carbon · cinder

Opposites
cleanliness/purity

smutchcleanliness

Absence of dirt

spotlessness · purity · immaculateness · pristineness · shine

surface treatment action

smutchpolish

Smooth by rubbing

clean · cleanse · purify · buff · shine

Family

smut

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G