Vocabulary Spotlight
Dappled
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: Marked with spots or rounded patches of color.
“The sunlight created a beautiful dappled pattern through the trees.”
Pronunciation
[ˈdæp-əld]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Speckled
Mottled
Freckled
Blotchy
Antonyms
Uniform
Plain
Unmarked
Clear
Related Words
Marbled (adjective)
Splotched (adjective)
Word Origin
“Dappled” comes from the Middle English “dapple,” meaning a spot or patch. It likely originated as a descriptive term for the pattern of light and shadow or color variations.
Word Family
Adjective: Dappled – Marked with spots or patches.
Noun: Dapple – A spot or mottled marking.
Mnemonics
Think of “Dappled” as “Dabbed with spots” – a surface with small patches of color or light.
Industry-specific Usage
Art
In art, “dappled light” is a technique where spots of light and shadow create texture on a surface, especially in paintings of nature.
Photography
Photographers often seek “dappled light” as it adds depth and contrast, creating natural, visually interesting patterns.
Equestrian
In horse descriptions, “dappled” refers to a coat pattern where lighter spots appear on darker fur.
In Context
“Dappled” is commonly used to describe patterns where spots or patches of light, color, or texture appear on a surface. A dappled horse coat, for example, features lighter patches, while dappled sunlight creates an effect where light filters through leaves, casting moving patches of brightness. The term evokes a natural aesthetic and is widely used in art, photography, and descriptions of nature.