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to bedaub

to bedaub

1 9.9
To cover something thickly with a sticky, messy substance
  • verb
  • /bɪˈdɔb/
translation icon : embadurnar
  • You're totally bedaubing the mirror.

Examples

  • When baking, it's common to bedaub the pan with butter to prevent sticking.

  • The artist will bedaub the canvas with bright colors to create a vibrant masterpiece.

  • Children often bedaub their hands with paint during art class.

Synonyms

to smear
vsto bedaub
63 3.7

To spread a substance over a surface in a messy way

involves thicker, heavier covering rather than simple untidy spreading
to plaster
vsto bedaub
30 3.8

To cover a surface thickly or stick things all over it

highlights messy, sticky covering rather than forming a smooth finish
to daub
vsto bedaub
3 8.1

To cover a surface roughly with a thick sticky substance

is about heavy covering rather than the roughness of application
to mud
vsto bedaub
1 5.1

To cover a surface with soft wet earth to make it smooth

applies to any sticky messy substance not limited to earthy material
to muddy up
vsto bedaub
1 3.5

To make something dirty with wet dirt, for example shoes or floors

focuses on thick messy covering generally rather than only dirtying with earth
to daube
vsto bedaub
9.9

To smear something roughly with paint, plaster, or another soft wet material

is about full, heavy covering rather than only rough coating
to besmear
vsto bedaub
9.9

To cover something with a sticky or greasy substance

emphasizes thick, heavy covering rather than mere greasing or dirtiness
to beplaster
vsto bedaub
  • Archaic
9.9

To cover a surface thickly with stickers, paste, or cream

focuses on messy sticky smearing rather than showy coating
to gung
vsto bedaub
  • UK
9.9

To make something dirty with a sticky or greasy substance

involves deliberate heavy covering rather than merely soiling or clogging
to smear paint
vsto bedaub
4.0

To spread paint on a surface in a messy, uneven way

is broader, meaning heavy messy covering with any sticky substance
to mudding
vsto bedaub
  • Specialized
4.6

To cover something with mud or with a soft wall paste, for example on drywall

is about messy sticky covering in general rather than only earthy materials

Antonyms

1.0

Free from dirt or harmful things

How Covered

to encrust
5 6.1
to slather
  • Informal
15 6.9
to bedaub
1 9.9
to daub
3 8.1
to smear
63 3.7

Surface Forms

bedaub infinitive
bedaubed past
bedaubed past participle
bedaubing present participle
bedaubs third person singular

Morphology

bedaub = daub (transparent) = be + daub

The prefix 'be-' is commonly used to form verbs indicating a thorough action, making the transformation clear.

Etymology

Bedaub comes from the prefix be- ('to cover') and the word daub ('to smear'). So, to bedaub something is to cover it by smearing it thickly, often with something sticky or messy.