mar

The word “mar” means to spoil or damage something, often leaving a lasting flaw. In plain terms, to spoil something, or a small flaw that spoils it.

“Mar” is pronounced mah (/mɑɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “mar” used in a sentence: “A single scratch marred the otherwise perfect paint job.”

Depending on how it is used, “mar” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “mar” comes from Old English. From Old English mierran, "to hinder, disturb, or spoil," from an ancient Germanic root meaning "to disturb or annoy.".

“Mar” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Mar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to spoil or damage something, often leaving a lasting flaw.

To mar something is to spoil or damage it so that a lasting flaw remains, but the thing is usually still intact. To ruin something implies more complete destruction, leaving it worthless or beyond repair.

Use 'mar' when the damage leaves a visible or lasting blemish, as in 'a scratch marred the table.' 'Spoil' is broader and more everyday, and can also mean to over-indulge someone or to let food go bad, meanings that 'mar' does not carry.

'Mar' is fairly formal and literary, appearing more often in writing than in casual speech. In conversation, people are more likely to say 'spoil,' 'wreck,' or 'mess up.'

'Mar' often pairs with abstract or aesthetic nouns, as in 'marred by controversy,' 'marred the celebration,' or 'marred her beauty.' It frequently appears in the passive form 'marred by' to introduce the flaw that spoils something.