Meaning & use
mar
Last updated
UK/mɑː/
US/mɑːr/
Meaning
verbtransitiveformalliterary
To damage, spoil, or weaken the appearance, quality, or success of something.
Grammar: Takes an object: mar the view; the passive be marred by is common.
Patterns
- mar something
- mar the beauty of something
- be marred by something
One cracked tile marred the otherwise clean kitchen wall.
The celebration was marred by a last-minute cancellation.
Word forms
| third person singular | mars |
|---|---|
| past tense | marred |
| past participle | marred |
| -ing form | marring |
Common combinations
- mar the view
- A billboard near the bridge mars the view of the hills.
- be marred by scandal
- The championship was marred by a scoring scandal.
- mar an otherwise perfect day
- A flat tire marred an otherwise perfect day at the beach.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spoil
- Spoil is general and common; mar is more formal and often literary.
- blemish
- Blemish suggests a small surface flaw; mar can affect quality, reputation, or enjoyment.
- tarnish
- Tarnish often concerns reputation or metal losing shine; mar is broader.
- deface
- Deface means deliberately damaging the appearance of a surface; mar need not be deliberate.
Opposites
Word family
- marred adjective
- Damaged or spoiled in appearance or quality.
Practice
Choose the correct form: The opening ceremony was ___ by heavy rain.
Choose one answer.
The passive pattern requires the past participle: was marred by. Mars is present singular, mar is base, and marring would need an active subject.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mar”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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