speckle

1 of 2

noun

speck·​le ˈspe-kəl 

: a little speck (as of color)

speckle

2 of 2

verb

speckled; speckling ˈspe-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to mark with speckles

2

: to be distributed in or on like speckles

Synonyms

Noun

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

Verb

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

Examples of speckle in a Sentence

Noun

a ripe banana with lots of brown speckles

the cat has a speckle of orange right at her whiskers

Verb

speckled the cookies with colored sugar

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brightness uniformity is claimed to be 95%, and laser speckles are reduced by up to 97%. —New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2025

The Bigmouth Buffalo Is In No Hurry To Grow Its Population Broad-bodied, olive-toned and often dusted with copper or black speckles, the bigmouth buffalo, or Ictiobus cyprinellus, can grow over four feet long and tip the scales at 80 pounds. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Verb

Galaxies speckle the heavens like stars in a stunning new photo of the deep and distant universe. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 May 2025

The floor-length, black gown, which debuted in Paris Couture Week earlier this year, features an asymmetrical top speckled with flames, and a sheer skirt that flows into a long train — also enveloped in flames. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English; akin to Old English specca

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing speckle

• speckle interferometry

Rhymes for speckle

• decal
• freckle
• meckel
• shekel
• thecal

Kids Definition

speckle

1 of 2 noun

speck·​le ˈspek-əl 

: a small mark (as of color)

speckle

2 of 2 verb

speckled; speckling ˈspek-(ə-)liŋ 

: to mark with speckles