tar
/tɑr/
noun
- A thick, dark, sticky substance obtained from coal, wood, or petroleum, used for paving roads, roofing, and preserving wood.
- Old wooden ships were often coated with tar to make them waterproof.
- The smell of tar filled the air as the roofing crew repaired the leak.
- The workers spread hot tar on the road to fill the cracks.
- The dark, sticky residue in tobacco smoke that can harm the lungs.
- Many smokers switch to low-tar cigarettes, but they are still harmful.
- The doctor explained how tar builds up in the lungs over time.
- Cigarette smoke contains tar, which can cause serious lung diseases.
verb
- To cover or coat something with tar.
- The crew will tar the driveway next week to seal it.
- In the past, sailors would tar the ropes to protect them from the salt water.
- They decided to tar the wooden fence to make it last longer.
- To criticize or damage someone's reputation, often unfairly (used in phrases like 'tar with the same brush').
- The scandal tarred the entire company's image for years.
- Just because one employee made a mistake, you shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush.
- Politicians often try to tar their opponents with negative labels.