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

Once that stage is complete, parachutes will slow the spacecraft before it splashes down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast.

From Barron's

Delta made a splash in 2023 when it announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that it planned to offer free in-flight internet access.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now the teenager is splashed across every transfer bulletin, is being linked with Europe's top clubs and makes this list at number 10.

From BBC

Ambient splashing and conversation from the lake made the perfect soundtrack to what I’d always imagined to be the best first date ever.

From Literature

Her words are like a splash of cold water, and I hear Dr. Crowchild’s voice in my head.

From Literature

Related Words

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