The term 'smudges' can be defined by the crossword solutions of STAINS (6 letters), soils (5 letters), smears (6 letters), BLURS (5 letters), BLOTS (5 letters), and soots (5 letters). STAINS are marks left on a surface due to a substance, such as dirt or ink. Soils are substances that make something dirty, such as mud or dust. Smears are marks left on a surface due to a substance being spread over it. BLURS are marks left on a surface due to a substance being smeared or smudged. BLOTS are marks left on a surface due to a substance being absorbed into it. Soots are particles of carbon that are produced when something is burned. All of these terms can be used to describe smudges, which are marks left on a surface due to a substance being smeared or smudged.