verb
Common
mar
mah
Mar (verb) means to spoil or damage something, often leaving a lasting flaw. Example: “Constant noise from the road marred our peaceful weekend in the countryside.”
verb
1
To spoil or damage something, often leaving a lasting flaw.
"Constant noise from the road marred our peaceful weekend in the countryside."
"A single scratch marred the otherwise perfect paint job."
"Rain marred what should have been a perfect wedding day."
noun
1
A flaw or blemish.
"The only mar on the new phone was a tiny scratch on the back."
"Not a single mar could be seen on the polished floor."
"There was barely a mar on the antique table's surface."
How to use mar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo spoil something, or a small flaw that spoils it.
Common pairings
mar the occasion
mar the surface
without a mar
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Word forms
- Plural
- mars
- Third person singular
- mars
- Past tense
- marred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The only _____ on the new phone was a tiny scratch on the back.
Etymology
From Old English mierran, "to hinder, disturb, or spoil," from an ancient Germanic root meaning "to disturb or annoy."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “mar” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “mar”?
“Mar” is pronounced mah (/mɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “mar” in a sentence?
Here is “mar” used in a sentence: “A single scratch marred the otherwise perfect paint job.”
What part of speech is “mar”?
Depending on how it is used, “mar” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “mar” come from?
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.".
Is “mar” a common word?
“Mar” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mar” have?
“Mar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to spoil or damage something, often leaving a lasting flaw.
What is the difference between 'mar' and 'ruin'?
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.
When should you use 'mar' instead of 'spoil'?
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.
Is 'mar' a formal or informal word?
'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.'
What kinds of things does 'mar' commonly describe?
'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.
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