splatter

American  

[splat-er] / ˈsplæt ər /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to splash and scatter upon impact.

   The paint splattered when I dropped the bucket.

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noun

1. an act or instance of splattering.

2. the quantity splattered.

   to wipe up a splatter of ketchup on the rug.

adjective

1. characterized by gory imagery.

   splatter films.

splatter British  

/ ˈsplætə /

verb

1. to splash with small blobs; spatter

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noun

1. a splash of liquid, mud, etc

Other Word Forms

• unsplattered adjective

Etymology

Origin of splatter

1775–85; blend of splash and spatter

Example Sentences

Today there was just the small yellow pool splattering slimy bubbles, and the rocks around—too hot to touch, hissing steam from every crack.

From Literature

Tomato sauce flies off her wooden spoon, splattering the chipped yellow cabinets.

From Literature

Brushes, pens and pencils lie next to the ripped cuffs of cotton workshirts, and drops of blue and white paint are splattered on the floor, extending the artwork beyond the wall.

From Los Angeles Times

Something was splattered across the glass doors—letters, from the look of it.

From Literature

With Green stepping back to flay an expected short ball, he was bluffed by a Carse yorker that splattered the stumps.

From BBC