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schlierig

streaky, smeared

adjective SHLEE-rikh Rare

Also means

smeary (of glass or a surface)

Usage Note

Schlierig describes a surface that has irregular streaks or smears — a poorly cleaned window, streaky wax on a car, or uneven glaze. It suggests incomplete or careless cleaning and is common in everyday descriptions of surfaces and household contexts.

Examples

"Das Fenster war schlierig, weil er es mit einem alten Lappen geputzt hatte."

Natural Translation

The window was streaky because he had cleaned it with an old rag.

Literal Translation

The window was streaky because he it with an old rag had cleaned.

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