dapple

1 of 2

noun

dap·​ple ˈda-pəl 

1

: any of numerous usually cloudy and rounded spots or patches of a color or shade different from their background

2

: the quality or state of being dappled

3

: a dappled animal

dapple

2 of 2

verb

dappled; dappling ˈda-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to mark with dapples

intransitive verb

: to produce a dappled pattern

sun dappling through trees

Synonyms

Noun

• blotch
• dot
• eyespot
• fleck
• mottle
• patch
• pip
• point
• speck
• speckle
• splotch
• spot

Verb

• blotch
• dot
• fleck
• freckle
• marble
• mottle
• pepper
• shoot
• speck
• speckle
• splotch
• spot
• sprinkle
• stipple

Examples of dapple in a Sentence

Noun

the clouds threw dapples of shadow over the eerily quiet street

Verb

sunlight dappled the canopy of vines over our heads

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The small spaces between leaves will dapple patterns of the eclipse phase on the ground. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024

In the prelude to a November ballot featuring the candidate synonymous with polarization, all the dapple and nuance of life is once again being reduced to a binary. —Karl Vick, TIME, 2 July 2024

Verb

At the Keeler House, this fusion yielded an immensely livable castle, warmed by its wood finishes, dappled by all the (flammable) greenery outside, and shaped by a powerful sense of California romance. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025

Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the grass, and the air was silent except for a chorus of chirping birds. —Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English dappel-gray, adjective, gray marked with spots of another color

First Known Use

Noun

1580, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

dapple

1 of 2 noun

dap·​ple ˈdap-əl 

1

: any spot or patch of a dappled pattern

2

: a dappled state

3

: a dappled animal (as a horse)

dapple

2 of 2 verb

dappled; dappling -(ə-)liŋ 

: to mark or become marked with a dappled pattern

daisies dappled the field