dappled

[ dap-uhld ]

adjective

1. having spots of a different shade, tone, or color from the background; mottled.

Other Words From

• un·dappled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dappled¹

1350–1400; Middle English, probably < Scandinavian; akin to Old Norse depill spot

Example Sentences

If a political debate is your idea of a good time — rather than, say, sitting on the sugary sands of some beach watching a dappled sunset play on the water, more power to you!

From Los Angeles Times

It’s an ideal companion piece to the site-specific daybed Skelly made to best enjoy the view from the sunroom’s expansive windows, where dappled light filters through an outdoor screen of towering bamboo.

From Los Angeles Times

Many have outstanding foliage, including the dappled willow Hakuro Nishiki, which has white-splashed foliage with hints of pink.

From Seattle Times

Inside the breathtaking Art Deco interiors of the Palais de la Porte Doree, Issey Miyake ’s guests admired wall-to-wall frescos and bas-reliefs of exotic scenes lit up in dappled lighting.

From Seattle Times

Sunlight dappled the graves under a towering magnolia tree during the flag-planting ceremony on Feb. 14.

From Seattle Times