Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “smudge” come from?

Smudge comes from Middle English smogen, of uncertain origin and meaning.

smudge (English): A blemish or smear, especially a dark or sooty...

Definitions

  1. A blemish or smear, especially a dark or sooty...

Ancestry of “smudge”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishsmogen—

Words derived from “smudge”

  • smudgy
  • smudgily
  • smudginess
  • smudger
  • smudgeproof
  • besmudge
  • smudgeable
  • antismudge
  • resmudge
  • smudge attack
Every word from Middle English smogen →