blear

UK: /blɪə/ US: (blēr)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

blear  (blēr), v.t. 

1. to make dim, as with tears or inflammation:
   a biting wind that bleared the vision.

adj. 

2. (of the eyes) dim from tears.
3. dim; indistinct.

n. 

4. a blur;
   cloudiness;
   dimness:
   She was concerned about the recent blear in her vision.

• ?
• Middle English bleri, blere (verb, verbal), blere (adjective, adjectival) 1250–1300

blear•ed•ness  (blēr′id nis), n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

blear / blɪə/ verb

1. (transitive) to make (eyes or sight) dim with or as if with tears; blur

adjective

1. a less common word for bleary

Etymology: 13th Century: blere to make dim; related to Middle High German blerre blurred vision