slight blemish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight blemish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor imperfection or flaw in an object, surface, or appearance. Example: "The painting was beautiful, but there was a slight blemish on the canvas that detracted from its overall appeal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Now the only slight blemish has been exorcised.

The New York Times - Sports

The only slight blemish was when Carlsen missed the artistic 16 Qg2!

The Guardian - Sport

Having achieved A's for his O-levels, with the slight blemish of a B in English literature, Zaka had chosen for his A-levels the killer combination of maths, physics, and chemistry.

The New Yorker

A slight blemish to Chisora's face is showing now.

BBC

Sometimes as chefs we can help them by taking bruised tomatoes and making a delicious sauce, or turnips that maybe have a slight blemish, and we can make pickled turnips out of them, or fruit that is slightly overripe and make a jam or a mostarda out of it.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

One morning, while she was helping prepare her school lunch, I noticed her choosing a handful of cherry tomatoes with slight blemishes.

Huffington Post

I ask Shafi if she ever gets annoyed with clients who bemoan their split ends, overgrown cuticles, or smattering of slight blemishes given the damage wrought on her own appearance.

Vice

Craig Barron, one of the effects supervisors, said that these digital models did not have to look as detailed and weathered as they normally would in a film because of the artificial look of the entire town, although they did imitate slight blemishes found in the physical buildings.

Wikipedia

The slightest blemish is tutted over and rejected.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He talked of how Nazi soldiers beat him and confiscated his manuscripts, how he saw them order people shot as unfit because of the slightest blemish.

The New Yorker

"Caught in the cross-fire of aggressive investigations of others, there is no basis for even the slightest blemish on his spotless reputation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight blemish" when you want to downplay the significance of a flaw or imperfection. It's suitable for situations where the defect is minor and doesn't significantly detract from the overall quality.

Common error

Avoid using "slight blemish" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "minor imperfection" or "small flaw" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight blemish" functions as a noun phrase, where "slight" modifies the noun "blemish". It describes a minor imperfection. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight blemish" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a minor imperfection. Ludwig confirms its usability in English writing. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "minor imperfection" or "small flaw" exist, "slight blemish" offers a specific nuance, acknowledging a flaw while downplaying its significance. It can be used in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor imperfection

Replaces "slight blemish" with more common synonyms for both words. The degree of similarity is really high.

small flaw

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning of a minor defect.

tiny defect

Emphasizes the small size of the imperfection.

minor imperfection

More formal synonyms for "slight" and "blemish".

small mark

Focuses on the visual aspect of the blemish as a minor mark.

negligible flaw

Highlights the insignificance of the flaw.

trivial imperfection

Stresses the unimportance of the blemish.

faint discoloration

Specifically refers to a slight change in color as the blemish.

insignificant defect

Similar to 'negligible flaw', but with slightly different word choice.

superficial flaw

Indicates that the flaw is only on the surface and not a deeper issue.

FAQs

How can I use "slight blemish" in a sentence?

You can use "slight blemish" to describe a minor flaw or imperfection, such as: "The antique table had a "slight blemish" on its surface, but it was otherwise in excellent condition."

What are some alternatives to "slight blemish"?

Some alternatives to "slight blemish" include "minor imperfection", "small flaw", or "tiny defect", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slight blemish" in formal writing?

Yes, "slight blemish" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "minor imperfection" if you want a more polished tone.

What's the difference between "slight blemish" and "major flaw"?

"Slight blemish" indicates a very minor imperfection that doesn't significantly affect the overall quality, while "major flaw" suggests a significant defect that can severely impact usability or appearance.