Schmear vs. Smear — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
Schmear refers specifically to a spread of cream cheese, often on bagels, while smear means to spread or coat a surface messily with any substance.
Difference Between Schmear and Smear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Schmear is commonly associated with a dollop of cream cheese used as a topping on bagels, particularly within Jewish and American culinary contexts. Whereas, smear has a broader usage, referring to any act of spreading a substance across a surface, often without care for neatness.
Schmear is often used in a positive, appetizing context, especially in delis and breakfast spots. On the other hand, smear can have a negative connotation, as it implies a mess or can be used metaphorically to describe a damage to someone's reputation.
In culinary settings, schmear implies a generous, flavorful addition to food. While, smear could be used to describe a cooking technique, such as smearing butter on dough, but it lacks the specific culinary delight implied by schmear.
Schmear has also culturally specific meanings, linked closely to New York City’s deli culture. Whereas, smear is used more generally and can apply to various contexts ranging from medical tests to political scandals.
The term schmear can sometimes be playful or informal, reflecting its cultural roots. In contrast, smear is straightforward and utilitarian, focusing more on the action rather than any cultural or emotional connotation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A spread of cream cheese, typically on bagels.
A rough or careless spreading of any substance.
Usage
Culinary, specific to certain foods.
Broad, applicable in various contexts.
Connotation
Positive, appetizing.
Often negative, implies messiness.
Cultural Association
Linked with Jewish and New York deli culture.
No specific cultural association.
Contexts
Mostly food-related.
Can be used in medical, political, etc.
Compare with Definitions
Schmear
A layer of cream cheese on a bagel.
He ordered his bagel with a thick schmear of cream cheese.
Smear
To coat a surface messily with any substance.
He smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes.
Schmear
A generous application of a creamy topping.
She added a schmear of butter to the warm toast.
Smear
To rub or spread butter, oil, etc., thinly.
She smeared the baking pan with butter before pouring in the batter.
Schmear
In card games, a term for a spread of cards.
The player's schmear included several high cards.
Smear
To become smeared or blurred.
His writing smeared when he accidentally brushed the page.
Schmear
Informally, any spreadable topping.
Use a schmear of avocado for a healthier option.
Smear
A derogatory accusation or campaign.
The article was a blatant smear against the politician.
Schmear
Slang for a small bribe or tip.
He slipped the doorman a schmear to get into the club.
Smear
A test sample spread on a slide.
The lab technician prepared a smear for the microscope.
Schmear
Schmear is a word of Germanic origin, equivalent to 'smear' or 'spread' (usually fat or butter). In some Germanic languages, the cognate of smear itself means butter.The use and spelling of schmear or shmear in American English is a direct loanword from Yiddish, where its original usage referred to cheese.
Smear
To spread or daub (a surface, for example) with a sticky, greasy, or dirty substance.
Schmear
A portion of cream cheese or another spread, as on a bagel.
Smear
To apply by spreading or daubing
Smeared suntan lotion on my face and arms.
Schmear
A spread that goes on a bagel.
Smear
To cause to be blurry or spread in unwanted places
The ink on the poster was smeared.
Schmear
A batch of things that go together.
Smear
To stain or attempt to destroy the reputation of; vilify
Political enemies who smeared his name.
Schmear
An aggregate.
Smear
(Slang) To defeat utterly.
Schmear
To spread something, often a bagel spread.
Smear
To spread easily in an undesired way
This mascara smears when it gets wet.
Schmear
To bribe.
Smear
A mark made by smearing; a spot or blot.
Schmear
(Yiddish) a batch of things that go together;
He bought the whole schmeer
Smear
A substance to be spread on a surface.
Smear
Vilification or slander.
Smear
A vilifying or slanderous remark.
Smear
(transitive) To spread (a substance, especially one that colours or is dirty) across a surface by rubbing.
The artist smeared paint over the canvas in broad strokes.
Smear
(transitive) To cover (a surface with a layer of some substance) by rubbing.
She smeared her lips with lipstick.
Smear
(transitive) To make something dirty.
Smear
(transitive) of a substance, etc. To make a surface dirty by covering it.
Smear
(transitive) To damage someone's reputation by slandering, misrepresenting, or otherwise making false accusations about them, their statements, or their actions.
The opposition party attempted to smear the candidate by spreading incorrect and unverifiable rumors about their personal behavior.
Smear
(transitive) To cause (something) to be messy or not clear by rubbing and spreading it.
Smear
(intransitive) To become messy or not clear by being spread.
The paint is still wet — don't touch it or it will smear.
Smear
(transitive) To write or draw (something) by spreading a substance on a surface.
Smear
(transitive) To cause (something) to be a particular colour by covering with a substance.
Smear
(transitive) To rub (a body part, etc.) across a surface.
Smear
(transitive) To attempt to remove (a substance) from a surface by rubbing.
Smear
(climbing) To climb without using footholds, using the friction from the shoe to stay on the wall.
Smear
A mark made by smearing.
This detergent cleans windows without leaving smears.
Smear
A false or unsupported, malicious statement intended to injure a person's reputation.
Smear
(medicine) A Pap smear screening test for cervical cancer.
I'm going to the doctor's this afternoon for a smear.
Smear
Any of various forms of distortion that make a signal harder to see or hear.
Smear
(climbing) A maneuver in which the shoe is placed onto the holdless rock, and the friction from the shoe keeps it in contact
Smear
(music) A rough glissando in jazz music.
Smear
To overspread with anything unctuous, viscous, or adhesive; to daub; as, to smear anything with oil.
Smear
To soil in any way; to contaminate; to pollute; to stain morally; as, to be smeared with infamy.
Smear
To smudge, blur, or render indistinct (writing, pictures, etc.).
Smear
To vilify (a person); to damage (a person's reputation), especially falsely or by unfair innuendo, and with malicious intent.
Smear
A fat, oily substance; oinment.
Smear
Hence, a spot made by, or as by, an unctuous or adhesive substance; a blot or blotch; a daub; a stain.
Slow broke the morn,All damp and rolling vapor, with no sun,But in its place a moving smear of light.
Smear
Slanderous defamation
Smear
A blemish made by dirt;
He had a smudge on his cheek
Smear
An act that brings discredit to the person who does it;
He made a huge blot on his copybook
Smear
Stain by smearing or daubing with a dirty substance
Smear
Make a smudge on; soil by smudging
Smear
Cover (a surface) by smearing (a substance) over it;
Smear the wall with paint
Daub the ceiling with plaster
Smear
Charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone;
The journalists have defamed me!
The article in the paper sullied my reputation
Common Curiosities
What is a schmear?
A schmear is typically a spread of cream cheese on a bagel.
How does schmear contribute to culinary culture?
Schmear enhances the flavor of dishes, especially bagels, and is a staple in certain cultural cuisines.
What is the origin of the term schmear?
Schmear originates from Yiddish, reflecting its roots in Jewish culinary tradition.
How is the term smear used in politics?
In politics, smear is used to describe efforts to tarnish someone's reputation through false accusations or misrepresentation.
What is a political smear campaign?
A political smear campaign involves spreading damaging falsehoods or exaggerations about an opponent to influence public perception.
What does smear mean?
Smear means to spread or coat a surface messily with any substance.
Is smear always used negatively?
Smear often has negative connotations, especially when used metaphorically, but it can be neutral, such as in medical contexts.
Can smear be used positively?
While typically negative or neutral, in art, for instance, smear can describe a technique that contributes to creative expression.
Can both terms be used interchangeably in cooking?
While both involve spreading, schmear is specific and culturally nuanced, making it not interchangeable with smear in many culinary contexts.
Can schmear be used outside of food contexts?
Yes, schmear can also refer informally to small bribes or tips, and in card games.
How is smear used in art?
In art, smear refers to a technique where materials like paint are applied roughly to create texture or blending effects.
What are common uses of smear in medical terms?
In medicine, smear refers to a method of preparing a sample for examination under a microscope.
What makes a schmear on a bagel special?
The texture and taste of cream cheese as a schmear make it a beloved choice for bagel lovers, enhancing both flavor and moisture.
What is the difference between schmear and other spreads?
Schmear specifically refers to cream cheese or similarly textured spreads, whereas other spreads can vary widely in texture and composition.
Is schmear associated with any particular location?
Schmear is particularly associated with New York City and its famous deli culture.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
