splotch

[ sploch ]

/ splɒtʃ /

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See synonyms for: splotch / splotched / splotches / splotching on Thesaurus.com

noun

a large, irregular spot; blot; stain; blotch.

verb (used with object)

to mark or cover with splotches.

verb (used without object)

to be susceptible to stains or blots; show or retain stains, blots, or spots of dirt or liquid: Don't buy that tablecloth—the material splotches easily.

to cause or be liable to cause stains, blots, or spots: Be careful of that paint—it splotches.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

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 splotch

First recorded in 1595–1605; origin uncertain

Words nearby splotch

split wings, splodge, sploosh, splore, splosh, splotch, splotchy, splurge, splutter, spluttery, Spock

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

How to use splotch in a sentence

A dark splotch was concentrated over the star’s southern hemisphere.
Dust and a cold spell on Betelgeuse could explain why the giant star dimmed|Lisa Grossman|June 16, 2021|Science News
The splotches showed up in pictures of the galaxy taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope.
The Milky Way’s ‘yellowballs’ are clusters of baby stars|Lisa Grossman|June 9, 2021|Science News For Students
In the sun’s case, those dark splotches, called sunspots, mark the sites of magnetic activity on the surface.
Betelgeuse went dark, but didn’t go supernova. What happened?|Lisa Grossman|November 29, 2020|Science News
The December image shows a dark splotch, a dimming, over Betelgeuse’s southern hemisphere.
Betelgeuse went dark, but didn’t go supernova. What happened?|Lisa Grossman|November 29, 2020|Science News

The team points to splotches of color on leaves of tobacco plants carrying the cotton genes as likely evidence they’ll take.
Scientists Gene-Hack Cotton Plants to Make Them Every Color of the Rainbow|Jason Dorrier|August 11, 2020|Singularity Hub
Doesn't splotch, as Blount writes, "explode from the mouth and make an unmissable mess of itself"?
Great Weekend Reads||May 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The yellow box in which Lil carried her costumes was a splotch of color against the white fur robes.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
A splotch of blood showed on his head just back of the ear, where he had crashed against a corner of the chest.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Sam O'Neill stood picking at a splotch on the ancient plaster, with strong, yellow-gloved hands.
V. V.'s Eyes|Henry Sydnor Harrison
On her finger was a huge emerald ring, a splotch of crème de menthe spilt on the whiteness of her hand.
Balloons|Elizabeth Bibesco
The Confederate was on his back; his jacket was open; his shirt showed a great red splotch right on his breast.
Who Goes There?|Blackwood Ketcham Benson

British Dictionary definitions for splotch

splotch

/ (splɒtʃ) /

noun, verb

the usual US word for splodge

Derived forms of splotch

splotchy, adjective

Word Origin for splotch

C17: perhaps a blend of spot + blotch

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

splotch

Origin of splotch

Words nearby splotch

Words related to splotch

How to use splotch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for splotch

Derived forms of splotch

Word Origin for splotch