spackle
Americanverb (used with or without object)
Etymology
Origin of spackle
First recorded in 1925–30; perhaps from German Spachtel “putty knife,” variant of Spatel “spatula”; see spatula ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
When the Pratts recently redid their bathroom, Gina Pratt explained, Harvey couldn’t hold back from sculpting small, figurative frescoes into the spackle.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 29, 2026
The White Sox, a talented but underachieving bunch meandering through another disappointing season, have spackle to share.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2023
Start by filling the nail holes with wood filler or spackle and sand smooth once the compound dries.
From Seattle Times ● May 12, 2023
You can either paste the paper back down with wallpaper adhesive, or tear off the damaged parts, spackle, and sand the area.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2022
I’ve seen her do stuff like this before—fix leaky pipes, unplug a clogged sink, or smack a glob of spackle on a hole in the wall.
From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper
The Order: The sesame bagel is lovely on its own—or spackled with a schmear of pastrami lox cream cheese.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
There are scenes of childbirth, as a man and woman look toward a swaddled baby in what appears to be a hospital room where the spackled walls show scars of fighting.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 19, 2022
His sauce is more like a vibrant, slightly spicy salsa, and it’s spackled on in dollops atop the cheese, allowing for a fluffier crust.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 6, 2020
It can feel as if the show’s cinematic ambitions lose out to an ineffable CBS-ness that insists on order and outcome — particularly in the final hour, which feels overly spackled with epilogue.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 25, 2019
Big-hoofed gray horses spackled like wolves, that rolled their eyes and whinnied at my footfall, leagued with men as if strapped to their business by harness I could not see.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
Start with good mayo, and use just enough to bind; we’re not spackling a wall.
From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2025
There are quite a few exterior spackling compounds and epoxy wood fillers that do a magnificent job of filling large cracks and holes.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 18, 2023
The challenge, the play suggests, is to protect change by continuing to be engaged with those who oppose it, even if it sometimes means spackling cracks in the social contract with heaps of frosting.
From New York Times ● Mar. 6, 2019
Still, with a little spackling and good faith I think I can hold our belief in this year’s illusory cohesion together long enough to get in a few more points.
From Slate ● Jan. 5, 2018
He hates painting, for one thing, and his spackling is a disaster.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
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