freckle

American  

[frek-uhl] / ˈfrɛk əl /

noun

1. one of the small, brownish spots on the skin that are caused by deposition of pigment and that increase in number and darken on exposure to sunlight; lentigo.

2. any small spot or discoloration.

   freckles of paint spattered on the floor.

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verb (used with object)

freckled, freckling

1. to cover with freckles; produce freckles on.

verb (used without object)

freckled, freckling

1. to become freckled.

freckle British  

/ ˈfrɛkəl /

noun

1. Technical name: lentigo.  a small brownish spot on the skin: a localized deposit of the pigment melanin, developed by exposure to sunlight

2. any small area of discoloration; a spot

3. slang the anus

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verb

1. to mark or become marked with freckles or spots

Other Word Forms

• freckled
  adjective
• unfreckled
  adjective
• well-freckled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of freckle

1350–1400; blend of obsolete frecken freckle ( Middle English frekne < Old Norse *frekna; compare freknōttr speckled, Norwegian, Icelandic frekna, Swedish fräkna freckle) and speckle (noun)

Explanation

A freckle is a small, brownish spot on the skin. You might have a few freckles on your nose, or a lot of freckles across your shoulders and arms. Most babies don't have any freckles, but people who are genetically predisposed to them and spend time in the sun tend to get freckles as children. People with pale skin, and sometimes red hair, have a tendency to get freckles and are more vulnerable to the sun's UV rays. If you have freckles, you should definitely use sunblock. When new freckles appear, you can say that you freckle.

Example Sentences

Irish Freckle Bread is a newer bake for me.

From Salon • Mar. 12, 2024

Less than half of elementary school students used Freckle, a math app that cost the district $2 million.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 8, 2023

He, like Chastain, has his own production company, except his is geared toward plays and hers, Freckle Films, makes movies, like “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” the picture that won her a 2022 Academy Award.

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2023

In 2016, Chastain started a production company, Freckle Films, which she has used to develop woman-centered projects.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2023

So Freckle Frog went to the party and wore the cobweb lace, and carried the mushroom parasol, and held the soft little white caterpillar for a muff.

From How Freckle Frog Made Herself Pretty by Herr, Charlotte B. (Charlotte Bronte)

Related Words

• blemish
• blotch
• mole