Synonyms mark

These are all words for a small area of dirt or another substance on a surface.

mark a small area of dirt, a spot or a cut on a surface that makes it look less good:

The kids left dirty marks all over the kitchen floor.

stain a dirty mark on something that is difficult to remove, especially one made by a liquid:

blood stains

fingerprint a mark on a surface made by the pattern of lines on the end of a person’s finger, often used by the police to identify criminals:

Her fingerprints were all over the gun.

streak a long, thin mark or line that is a different colour from the surface it is on:

She had streaks of grey in her hair.

speck a very small mark, spot or piece of a substance on something:

There isn’t a speck of dust anywhere in the house.

blot a spot or dirty mark left on something by a substance such as ink or paint being dropped on a surfacesmear a mark made by something such as oil or paint being spread or rubbed on a surfacespot a small dirty mark on something:

There were grease spots all over the walls.

Patterns

a streak/​speck/​blot/​smear/​spot of something

a greasy mark/​stain/​smear

an ink mark/​stain/​blot/​spot

a grease mark/​stain/​spot

to leave a mark/​stain/​fingerprint/​streak/​speck/​blot/​smear