stipple

1 of 2

verb

stip·​ple ˈsti-pəl 

stippled; stippling ˈsti-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to engrave by means of dots and flicks

2

a

: to make by small short touches (as of paint or ink) that together produce an even or softly graded shadow

b

: to apply (something, such as paint) by repeated small touches

3

: speckle, fleck

stippler

ˈsti-p(ə-)lər 

noun

stipple

2 of 2

noun

: production of gradation of light and shade in graphic art by stippling small points, larger dots, or longer strokes

also : an effect produced in this way

Synonyms

Verb

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

Examples of stipple in a Sentence

Verb

the sunlight falling through the lace curtain stippled her face

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Spider mites can stipple the foliage during hot, dry weather. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Nov. 2024

Unlike the wells that stipple his fiction, Murakami’s thoughts are not particularly deep. —Bailey Trela, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024

Noun

Next, take a small detail brush and carefully stipple on flecks of dark brown or black polish to create an eggshell-like motif. —Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2024

The black splotches were raised, like tiny hillocks, and covered in even tinier white stipples. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch stippelen to spot, dot

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stipple

verb

stip·​ple

ˈstip-əl

stippled; stippling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to apply (as paint or ink) by repeated small touches

stipple noun

stippler

-(ə-)lər

noun