blur
To make something become unclear or less distinct, either physically by losing sharp edges or conceptually by making the differences between two things less obvious. It often refers to the merging of categories or the loss of visual focus.
Examples
3 of 5The heavy rain began to blur the driver's vision, making it dangerous to continue.
The rain made the driver's sight unclear, which was unsafe.
The witness's conflicting statements only serve to blur the facts of the case.
The witness's words make the truth of the situation harder to see.
After three glasses of wine, the events of the evening started to blur together.
After drinking, the person could not remember the events clearly or separately.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Blue' paint 'Blurring' into a puddle of water; the color spreads and the edges of the drop disappear.
Quick Quiz
The constant movement of the dancers seemed to _______ the colors of their costumes into a single vibrant stream.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blur
Examples
The heavy rain began to blur the driver's vision, making it dangerous to continue.
everydayThe rain made the driver's sight unclear, which was unsafe.
The witness's conflicting statements only serve to blur the facts of the case.
formalThe witness's words make the truth of the situation harder to see.
After three glasses of wine, the events of the evening started to blur together.
informalAfter drinking, the person could not remember the events clearly or separately.
Recent technological advancements often blur the boundaries between biological and artificial intelligence.
academicTechnology makes it hard to distinguish between human and machine intelligence.
The rise of remote work has continued to blur the distinction between professional and personal time.
businessWorking from home has made the line between work life and home life less clear.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
blur the lines between
to make it difficult to tell where one thing ends and another begins
everything is a blur
a situation where things happened so fast they cannot be remembered clearly
blur out
to intentionally make part of an image unreadable or unrecognizable
Often Confused With
Blur refers to visual or conceptual lack of clarity; slur refers to unclear speech or an insulting remark.
To blur is to make edges fuzzy or merge things; to obscure is to hide something completely from view.
Usage Notes
In C1 academic writing, 'blur' is frequently used as a transitive verb to describe how two distinct theories, categories, or social roles are becoming harder to tell apart. In physical descriptions, it is often used intransitively to describe vision failing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to double the 'r' when writing 'blurred' or 'blurring'. Also, do not use 'blur' when you simply mean 'forget'; use it when the memories feel mixed together.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Blue' paint 'Blurring' into a puddle of water; the color spreads and the edges of the drop disappear.
Word Origin
Derived from the 16th-century English word probably related to 'bleren', meaning to have watery or dim eyes, or to deceive.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The constant movement of the dancers seemed to _______ the colors of their costumes into a single vibrant stream.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blur
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
syntegment
C1To integrate or fuse distinct segments or components into a single, unified structure or cohesive system. It is often used in technical, architectural, or abstract contexts to describe the seamless blending of parts into a whole.
exsimilment
C1Exsimilment is an adjective describing something that has diverged so fundamentally from its original source or peer group that it no longer possesses any shared characteristics. It is frequently used in technical and comparative contexts to denote a state of complete and intentional dissimilarity.
foreautofy
C1Describing a system, process, or device that has been autonomously optimized or configured in advance to handle future scenarios. It implies a state of being pre-emptively automated to function seamlessly without human intervention when specific conditions are met.
insedess
C1Describing a state of remaining in one location or maintaining an inactive, sedentary posture. It is often used in technical or formal contexts to characterize organisms, habits, or lifestyles that lack movement or migration.
interpunctive
C1Relating to the marks or signs used in punctuation to separate sentences and their elements. It describes the structural use of points or symbols to clarify the meaning and rhythm of a written text.
comloquward
C1Describes a person who is excessively talkative in a socially clumsy or uncoordinated manner. It specifically refers to the combination of being verbose while simultaneously lacking the grace to navigate conversational cues effectively.
circumjurent
C1A person who takes a legal oath within a specific surrounding territory or boundary, often to verify land limits or local facts. In an archaic or specialized legal context, it refers to a witness who confirms the truth of a matter based on their presence in the surrounding area.
comvester
C1A comvester is an individual who participates in community-based investment, pooling financial resources with others to support local projects or social enterprises. This role combines traditional investment goals with a focus on social impact and collective community benefit.
antitractent
C1Describing a force or substance that exerts a repelling influence, tending to push away rather than attract. It is primarily used in technical or scientific contexts to describe physical properties or behaviors that resist being drawn together.
triludary
C1To engage in a complex tripartite evaluation or negotiation process involving three distinct parties, stages, or perspectives. It is used to describe the act of reaching a balanced resolution or synthesis through three-way interaction.
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