1
: a colored spot
2
a
: a surface having colored spots or blotches
b
: the arrangement of such spots or blotches on a surface
3
mottled; mottling
ˈmät-liŋ 
ˈmä-tᵊl-iŋ
: to mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained
Synonyms
Examples of mottle in a Sentence
Noun
canvases covered with streaks and mottles
Verb
old papers that were mottled by mold
Recent Examples on the Web
Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Oct. 2015
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2024
In another video, filmed by Agence France-Presse not long after the air strike, Layan’s face was mottled with burns.
—Longreads, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mottle 
Noun
Remember to continue your daily sunscreen use to stave off more mottle.
—Katie Becker, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 Oct. 2015
Verb
The oval leaves of prayer plant are striped and mottled with shades of yellow, red, and green.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2024
In another video, filmed by Agence France-Presse not long after the air strike, Layan’s face was mottled with burns.
—Longreads, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for mottle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mottle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mottle
Cite this Entry
“Mottle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mottle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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