splinter

1 of 2

noun

splin·​ter ˈsplin-tər 

1

a

: a thin piece split or broken off lengthwise : sliver

b

: a small needlelike particle

2

: a group or faction broken away from a parent body

splinter adjective

splintery

ˈsplin-tə-rē 

-trē

adjective

splinter

2 of 2

verb

splintered; splintering ˈsplin-tə-riŋ 

-triŋ

transitive verb

1

: to split or rend into long thin pieces : shiver

2

: to split into fragments, parts, or factions

intransitive verb

: to become splintered

Synonyms

Noun

• chip
• flake
• sliver
• spall
• splint

Verb

• slice
• sliver

Examples of splinter in a Sentence

Noun

I got a splinter in my finger.

There were splinters of glass everywhere.

Verb

The board splintered under his weight.

The impact of the crash splintered the glass.

groups that have splintered off to form new political movements

a political party that has been splintered by disagreements

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Plus, wooden tools and handles might crack, splinter, and break if exposed to excess moisture. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025

Popular on Variety The tone for proceedings is set by an introductory anecdote that Ricciardi relates directly to camera, concerning a teenage masturbation mishap that left him with splinters in the head of his member. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Verb

Photos show the impact splintered the wood beams and crumpled metal roofing from the awning up to the ridge. —Bradenton Herald, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2025

So while some Tutsi rebels were integrated into the Congolese army, others splintered off to form M23. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle Low German splinte splint

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing splinter

• splinter group

Kids Definition

splinter

1 of 2 noun

splin·​ter ˈsplint-ər 

: a thin piece split or torn off lengthwise : sliver

splinter adjective

splinter

2 of 2 verb

splintered; splintering ˈsplint-ə-riŋ 

ˈsplin-triŋ

: to divide or break into splinters

Medical Definition

splinter

noun

splin·​ter ˈsplint-ər 

: a thin piece (as of wood) split or broken off lengthwise

especially : such a piece embedded in the skin

used tweezers to remove a splinter

splinter transitive verb

splintered; splintering ˈsplint-ə-riŋ, ˈsplin-triŋ