Mar
/mɑr/
verbB2
Definition
To mar something means to harm or damage it in a way that makes it less good or less attractive. It can be used for physical things like a painting or a surface, or for abstract things like a person's reputation or a plan.
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See It in Action
To damage the appearance or surface of something
- •The graffiti marred the clean walls of the building.
- •A deep scratch marred the surface of the new phone.
- •The storm marred the beautiful garden.
To spoil or harm something abstract, like a reputation or experience
- •His mistake marred an otherwise perfect performance.
- •The argument marred their friendship.
- •The accident marred the holiday for everyone.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'mar' like 'break,' but usually it means a smaller or less complete damage, not fully broken
- ✓Picture a smooth, clean table with a small scratch or stain that spoils its perfect look
- ✓It's the feeling of seeing something beautiful but noticing a small flaw that bothers you
- ✓Sounds like 'mar' → imagine a big letter 'M' with a scar across it, showing damage
- ✓Think of stories where a hero's perfect plan is marred by a small mistake that causes problems
- ✓NOT like 'destroy' (which means to completely ruin), 'mar' means to hurt or spoil but not fully destroy
- ✓NOT like 'scratch' (which is only surface damage), 'mar' can be damage that spoils appearance or quality in many ways
- ✓NOT like 'fix' (which means to make better), 'mar' is the opposite, making something worse
Try Other Words
- •Spoil: to make something less good or enjoyable (Use when talking about experiences or feelings)
- •Damage: to harm or injure something (Use for general harm, physical or abstract)
- •Blemish: to make a small mark or flaw (Use when damage is small and visible)
- •Ruin: to completely destroy or spoil (Use when damage is total and irreversible)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (single root word, no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English 'mar' meaning to harm or spoil
- •Historical development: Used since old times to describe harm to objects or reputation
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in writing and speech to describe damage that spoils quality or beauty, often less than complete destruction
- •Interesting fact: 'Mar' is often used in literature to describe small but important damage that changes how something is seen
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be marred but still be valuable or beautiful? How do we decide?
•How does the idea of 'mar' help us think about small problems in life that affect bigger things?
Fill in the blanks
1.The scratch on the car's door ___ the otherwise perfect paint job and made it look old.
2.A single bad comment can ___ a person's reputation for years.
3.The spilled coffee ___ the clean tablecloth, leaving a visible mark.
4.Unlike complete destruction, to mar something means to ___ it, not destroy it.
5.The argument ___ their friendship, causing a long silence between them.
6.Artists try hard not to ___ their work with mistakes or damage.
7.The beautiful view was ___ by the large construction site nearby.