dappled

adjective

dap·​pled ˈda-pəld How to pronounce dappled (audio)
variants or less commonly dapple
: marked with small spots or patches contrasting with the background
a dappled fawn

Examples of dappled in a Sentence

a forest that was vibrant with the dappled foliage of autumn
Recent Examples on the Web The team integrated dappled light by softening the open steel frame trellis with plantings of Passionfruit (Passiflora edulis) and Honeysuckle (lonicera semperviren). Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 Light Hellebores thrive in partial shade (with four or fewer hours of direct sunlight per day) or in light, dappled sun all day. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2024 Most columbine does well in part sun or dappled sunlight, but the plants can tolerate full sun in moister soil. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024 The luminous work, of two marsh birds soaring through iridescent skies, waves cresting in the dappled ground, is unlike any other in the show. Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023 Past the craters, hidden in the dappled forest light, the extensive underground network that is Ukraine’s first line of defense comes into view. Tyler Hicks Marc Santora, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023 Back on the main deck, a plush outdoor lounge lies under a striking glass swimming pool that throws dappled light on all below. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2023 The dappled shade of tall conifers has long ago given way to broader views of the surrounding mountainside after the fire took in hours what nature required centuries to build. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2023 Standing with your back to the sun and holding your fingers together in a waffle pattern can also project an image of the eclipse onto the ground, and so can the dappled light falling through leafy trees. Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dappled.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dappled was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dappled

Cite this Entry

“Dappled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dappled. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dappled

adjective
dap·​pled
ˈdap-əld
variants also dapple
: marked with numerous usually cloudy and rounded spots or patches of a color or shade different from their background
a dappled fawn
rested in the dappled shade

More from Merriam-Webster on dappled

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!