splash
Americanverb (used with object)
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to wet or soil by dashing masses or particles of water, mud, or the like; spatter.
Don't splash her dress!
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to fall upon (something) in scattered masses or particles, as a liquid does.
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to cause to appear spattered.
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to dash (water, mud, etc.) about in scattered masses or particles.
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to make (one's way) with splashing.
He splashed his way across the pool.
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Logging. to move (logs) by releasing a body of water from a splash dam.
verb (used without object)
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to dash a liquid or semiliquid substance about.
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to fall, move, or strike with a splash or splashes.
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(of liquid) to dash with force in scattered masses or particles.
noun
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the act of splashing.
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the sound of splashing.
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a quantity of some liquid or semiliquid substance splashed upon or in a thing.
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a spot caused by something splashed.
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a patch, as of color or light.
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Logging.
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the act of splashing logs.
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water released, as from a splash dam for splashing logs.
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a striking show or impression.
- Synonyms:
- sensation, uproar, impression, ado
verb phrase
verb
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to scatter (liquid) about in blobs; spatter
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to descend or cause to descend upon in blobs
he splashed his jacket
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to make (one's way) by or as if by splashing
he splashed through the puddle
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(tr) to print (a story or photograph) prominently in a newspaper
noun
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an instance or sound of splashing
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an amount splashed
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a patch created by or as if by splashing
a splash of colour
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informal an extravagant display, usually for effect (esp in the phrase make a splash )
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Alternatively, if you want to take a trip to Europe or splash out on a suite on a cruise, you could also use one year’s taxable RMDs.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026
Following their lunar flyby, the Artemis II astronauts are on their long journey back home and expected to splash back down on Earth late Friday.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
Add pasta with a splash of reserved pasta water and toss until silky.
From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026
She recommends women skip those glamorous dinners some female founders splash all over Instagram, calling them “mostly about ego-gratification.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Lots of room for Nim to float and somersault and stand on her hands, and for Fred to dash and dive and for Selkie to swish splash the water through the Keyhole Rock.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
