English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

spatter

SPAT

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Spatter (verb) means to splash small drops of a liquid onto someone or something. Example: “Grease spattered the stove as the bacon cooked.”

verb

1

To splash small drops of a liquid onto someone or something.

"Grease spattered the stove as the bacon cooked."

"Rain spattered against the window all afternoon."

noun

1

A splash or scattering of small drops or spots.

"There was a spatter of mud up the back of her jeans."

How to use spatter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSmall drops of liquid (or paint, mud, etc.) splashed over a surface, or the act of splashing them.

Common pairings

blood spatter a spatter of rain spattered with paint

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: spatters
Third person singular: spatters
Past tense: spattered

Test yourself on “spatter” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Grease _____ the stove as the bacon cooked.

Etymology

Probably from a Middle Low German or Dutch word meaning "to spout or burst," related to "spit."

Origin: German

Synonyms

spit splash sprinkle patter splatter splashing sputtering splattering plash swash splosh sputter

Related words

hit gas struggle tongue pitch dust peninsula handful

Rhymes for spatter

matter batter hatter latter patter scatter shatter flatter chatter clatter platter squatter

See all rhymes for spatter →

Frequently asked questions

What does “spatter” mean?

The word “spatter” means to splash small drops of a liquid onto someone or something. In plain terms, small drops of liquid (or paint, mud, etc.) splashed over a surface, or the act of splashing them.

How do you pronounce “spatter”?

“Spatter” is pronounced SPAT (/ˈspætɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “spatter” in a sentence?

Here is “spatter” used in a sentence: “Grease spattered the stove as the bacon cooked.”

What part of speech is “spatter”?

Depending on how it is used, “spatter” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “spatter” come from?

The word “spatter” comes from German. Probably from a Middle Low German or Dutch word meaning "to spout or burst," related to "spit.".

How many meanings does “spatter” have?

“Spatter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to splash small drops of a liquid onto someone or something.

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hit gas struggle tongue pitch dust peninsula handful