freckle

[ frek-uhl ]

noun

1. one of the small, brownish spots on the skin that are caused by deposition of pigment and that increase in number and darken on exposure to sunlight; lentigo.
2. any small spot or discoloration:

   freckles of paint spattered on the floor.

verb (used with object)

, freck·led, freck·ling.

1. to cover with freckles; produce freckles on.

verb (used without object)

, freck·led, freck·ling.

1. to become freckled.

freckle

/ ˈfrɛkəl /

noun

1. a small brownish spot on the skin: a localized deposit of the pigment melanin, developed by exposure to sunlight Technical namelentigo
2. any small area of discoloration; a spot
3. slang.
   the anus

verb

1. to mark or become marked with freckles or spots

Derived Forms

• ˈfreckled, adjective

Other Words From

• un·freckled adjective
• well-freckled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of freckle¹

1350–1400; blend of obsolete frecken freckle ( Middle English frekne < Old Norse *frekna; compare freknōttr speckled, Norwegian, Icelandic frekna, Swedish fräkna freckle) and speckle (noun)

Word History and Origins

Origin of freckle¹

C14: from Old Norse freknur freckles; related to Swedish fräkne , Danish fregne

Example Sentences

“The doctor was looking at each freckle with a magnifying glass,” she wrote.

From Seattle Times

Irish Freckle Bread is a newer bake for me.

From Salon

Nauru, a tiny freckle of land in the Pacific Ocean, announced that it would be severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan, effective immediately.

From New York Times

Josie could see every tiny freckle on her video-self’s nose.

From Literature

Less than half of elementary school students used Freckle, a math app that cost the district $2 million.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• blemish
• blotch
• mole