spatter

[ spat-er ]

/ ˈspæt ər /

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See synonyms for: spatter / spattered / spattering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to scatter or dash in small particles or drops: The dog spattered mud on everyone when he shook himself.

to splash with something in small particles: to spatter the ground with water.

to sprinkle or spot with something that soils or stains.

verb (used without object)

to send out small particles or drops, as falling water: rain spattering on a tin roof.

to strike a surface in or as in a shower, as bullets.

noun

the act or the sound of spattering: the spatter of rain on a roof.

a splash or spot of something spattered.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of spatter

1575–85; perhaps <Dutch spatt(en) to splash + -er⁶; compare Dutch spatterig literally, spattery

OTHER WORDS FROM spatter

spat·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·spat·tered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spatter in a sentence

These indicate that your range has a self-cleaning feature that Whirlpool calls AquaLift technology — a capability to use steam to help dislodge stubborn spatters.
How can I get the brown crud off my oven’s glass door?|Jeanne Huber|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She talks like her daughter now; everyone does, in that speedy, all-knowing, wisecrack-spattered sitcom patois of Modern Family.
In Defense of American Apparel: Why a Hitched-Up Skirt Barely Conceals a Profound Social Confusion|Tim Teeman|August 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Charr strode around the ring in a fury for a few minutes, his chest spattered with blood.
Here's What It's Like to Fight Vitali Klitschko, Ukraine’s Revolutionary Champ|Michael Daly|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But this one was of a 14-year-old pistol spattered with the blood of the 14-year-old who had been carrying it.
How Bronx Teen Shaaliver Douse, Killed by Cops, Ended Up With a Gun|Michael Daly|August 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nearby, a grinning butcher wields a meat ax, his apron spattered with blood.
The Art of the Pig|Blake Gopnik|October 31, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Bud turned his hotcakes with a vicious flop that spattered more batter on the stove.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
The dogs came out, shaking the water from their coats, and the spattered drivers rode through the creek.
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science|Various
The bullets spattered in the mud all around them as they ran, but they reached the creek bank with out being struck.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6)|John McElroy
This machine was covered with dust, of course, but it was also literally spattered with mud.
The Secret Witness|George Gibbs
He let his eyes travel around the littered, blood-spattered room.
Hidden Gold|Wilder Anthony

British Dictionary definitions for spatter

spatter

/ (ˈspætə) /

verb

to scatter or splash (a substance, esp a liquid) or (of a substance) to splash (something) in scattered dropsto spatter mud on the car; mud spattered in her face

(tr) to sprinkle, cover, or spot (with a liquid)

(tr) to slander or defame

(intr) to shower or rain downbullets spattered around them

noun

the sound of something spattering

something spattered, such as a spot or splash

the act or an instance of spattering

Word Origin for spatter

C16: of imitative origin; related to Low German, Dutch spatten to spout, Frisian spatteren to splash

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spatter

Origin of spatter

OTHER WORDS FROM spatter

Words related to spatter

How to use spatter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spatter

Word Origin for spatter