splash
splash
Splash (noun) means the sound or spray made when something hits liquid. Example: “The kids jumped into the pool with a huge splash.”
noun
1
The sound or spray made when something hits liquid.
"The kids jumped into the pool with a huge splash."
"We heard a loud splash as the dog leapt into the lake."
"A splash of water hit my face when the boat turned."
2
A small amount of a liquid, or a small amount of a quality added to something.
"Add a splash of milk to the sauce."
"The room needed a splash of color."
"He poured a splash of lemon juice over the fish."
verb
1
To cause liquid to scatter, or to be scattered by hitting a surface.
"The car splashed muddy water all over the sidewalk."
"Waves splashed against the rocks."
"Please don't splash water on the floor when you wash your hands."
2
Informal: to spend money freely, or to publicize something prominently.
"The story was splashed across every front page."
"They splashed out on a fancy hotel for their anniversary."
"The magazine splashed the winner's photo across its cover."
How to use splash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiquid scattering with a sound, or (loosely) a small added amount of something, or prominent publicity.
Common pairings
make a splash
a splash of color
splash out
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Word forms
- Plural
- splashes
- Third person singular
- splashes
- Past tense
- splashed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids jumped into the pool with a huge _____.
Etymology
Likely an alteration of the older word plash, with an added initial "s" as seen in words like spatter and spill.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for splash
See all rhymes for splash →Frequently asked questions
What does “splash” mean?
The word “splash” means the sound or spray made when something hits liquid. In plain terms, liquid scattering with a sound, or (loosely) a small added amount of something, or prominent publicity.
How do you pronounce “splash”?
“Splash” is pronounced splash (/splæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “splash” in a sentence?
Here is “splash” used in a sentence: “The kids jumped into the pool with a huge splash.”
What part of speech is “splash”?
Depending on how it is used, “splash” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “splash” a common word?
“Splash” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “splash” have?
“Splash” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the sound or spray made when something hits liquid.
What does it mean to "make a splash"?
To "make a splash" means to attract a lot of attention or make a strong, memorable impression, often through a bold or prominent action. It draws on the informal sense of splash meaning to publicize something prominently. The phrase is common in both casual and journalistic writing.
What is meant by "a splash of" a liquid?
"A splash of" refers to a small amount of a liquid added to something, such as a splash of milk in tea or a splash of colour in a design. It implies a modest, casual quantity rather than a precise measurement. This usage extends the noun sense of splash beyond liquids to qualities like colour or personality.
Is "splash" used to mean spending money?
Yes, informally "splash" (often as "splash out") means to spend money freely, typically on something enjoyable or extravagant. For example, "they splashed out on a new car." This is a casual, mainly British usage.
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