1
: a colored spot
2
a
: a surface having colored spots or blotches
b
: the arrangement of such spots or blotches on a surface
3
mottled; mottling
ˈmät-liŋ 
ˈmä-tᵊl-iŋ
: to mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained
Synonyms
Examples of mottle in a Sentence
Noun
canvases covered with streaks and mottles
Verb
old papers that were mottled by mold
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Oct. 2015
Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Some skeptics of adding fluoride to public water are worried about dental fluorosis, which is caused by overexposure to fluoride and can mottle teeth.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mottle 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Remember to continue your daily sunscreen use to stave off more mottle.
—Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Oct. 2015
Verb
These spots stand out against dark brown backgrounds, mottling their typically beige or gray bodies.
—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024
Some skeptics of adding fluoride to public water are worried about dental fluorosis, which is caused by overexposure to fluoride and can mottle teeth.
—Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mottle
Dictionary Entries Near mottle
Cite this Entry
“Mottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mottle. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share