mottled

adjective

mot·​tled ˈmä-tᵊld How to pronounce mottled (audio)
: marked with spots of different colors : having blotches of two or more colors
mottled tree bark
a mottled complexion
the bird's mottled plumage
A combination of red and blue pigments in the shell of a live lobster creates a mottled camouflage of indeterminate hue that blends in with the ocean floor.Kenneth Chang

Examples of mottled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Farther in, a sophisticated den lies behind tall wooden doors and features unique wall coverings, a mottled checkerboard pattern in earthy green hues. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2024 The grey ash trees and their mottled plumage were as one with each other, curving and branching to form a ceiling overhead. Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 Several of its rustic cabins date to the 1920s, and the current mottled wood paneling and floors, sturdy stone fireplaces and antique lighting harken back to that era. Catherine Garcia, theweek, 18 Oct. 2024 The mottled appearance provides one-of-a-kind character that ages beautifully. Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for mottled 

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mottled was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near mottled

Cite this Entry

“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mottled. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mottled

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!