splash

American  

[splash] / splæʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to wet or soil by dashing masses or particles of water, mud, or the like; spatter.

   Don't splash her dress!

2. to fall upon (something) in scattered masses or particles, as a liquid does.

3. to cause to appear spattered.

4. to dash (water, mud, etc.) about in scattered masses or particles.

5. to make (one's way) with splashing.

   He splashed his way across the pool.

6. Logging. to move (logs) by releasing a body of water from a splash dam.

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verb (used without object)

1. to dash a liquid or semiliquid substance about.

2. to fall, move, or strike with a splash or splashes.

3. (of liquid) to dash with force in scattered masses or particles.

noun

1. the act of splashing.

2. the sound of splashing.

3. a quantity of some liquid or semiliquid substance splashed upon or in a thing.

4. a spot caused by something splashed.

5. a patch, as of color or light.

6. Logging.

   1. the act of splashing logs.

   2. water released, as from a splash dam for splashing logs.

7. a striking show or impression.

   Synonyms:

   sensation, uproar, impression, ado

verb phrase

1. splash down. splashdown.

splash British  

/ splæʃ /

verb

1. to scatter (liquid) about in blobs; spatter

2. to descend or cause to descend upon in blobs

   he splashed his jacket

3. to make (one's way) by or as if by splashing

   he splashed through the puddle

4. (tr) to print (a story or photograph) prominently in a newspaper

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noun

1. an instance or sound of splashing

2. an amount splashed

3. a patch created by or as if by splashing

   a splash of colour

4. informal an extravagant display, usually for effect (esp in the phrase make a splash )

5. a small amount of soda water, water, etc, added to an alcoholic drink

Other Word Forms

• splashingly adverb
• unsplashed adjective

Etymology

Origin of splash

First recorded in 1705–15; perhaps alteration of plash ¹

Example Sentences

The drop continues a slide booked at the end of last year and suggests buyers in the eurozone’s second-largest economy remain cautious about splashing out on big-ticket items like new cars.

From The Wall Street Journal

The splash of the lake was in his eyes, and when he reached the place where he thought the creature had been, he couldn’t see it.

From Literature

We were splashing around, shivering and laughing, and Gran ran to the shore waving her mighty arms, warning us we were doing irreparable harm to our gallbladders.

From Literature

Lowering the ride height would add a badly needed splash of menace.

From The Wall Street Journal

With one week until the Feb. 5 trade deadline, it’s unlikely the L.A. teams will make a big splash, but there are some solid role players available to bolster rosters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dash
• douse
• drench
• drown
• paddle
• slop
• slosh
• soak
• spatter
• spray
• sprinkle
• squirt
• strew
• wade
• wet