splash

[ splash ]

verb (used with object)

1. to wet or soil by dashing masses or particles of water, mud, or the like; spatter:

   Don't splash her dress!

2. to fall upon (something) in scattered masses or particles, as a liquid does.
3. to cause to appear spattered.
4. to dash (water, mud, etc.) about in scattered masses or particles.
5. to make (one's way) with splashing:

   He splashed his way across the pool.

6. Logging. to move (logs) by releasing a body of water from a splash dam.

verb (used without object)

1. to dash a liquid or semiliquid substance about.
2. to fall, move, or strike with a splash or splashes.
3. (of liquid) to dash with force in scattered masses or particles.

noun

1. the act of splashing.
2. the sound of splashing.
3. a quantity of some liquid or semiliquid substance splashed upon or in a thing.
4. a spot caused by something splashed.
5. a patch, as of color or light.
6. Logging.
   1. the act of splashing logs.
   2. water released, as from a splash dam for splashing logs.
7. a striking show or impression.

   Synonyms: sensation, uproar, impression, ado

verb phrase

1. splashdown.

splash

/ splæʃ /

verb

1. to scatter (liquid) about in blobs; spatter
2. to descend or cause to descend upon in blobs

   he splashed his jacket

3. to make (one's way) by or as if by splashing

   he splashed through the puddle

4. tr to print (a story or photograph) prominently in a newspaper

noun

1. an instance or sound of splashing
2. an amount splashed
3. a patch created by or as if by splashing

   a splash of colour

4. informal.
   an extravagant display, usually for effect (esp in the phrase make a splash )
5. a small amount of soda water, water, etc, added to an alcoholic drink

Other Words From

• splashing·ly adverb
• un·splashed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of splash¹

First recorded in 1705–15; perhaps alteration of plash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of splash¹

C18: alteration of plash ¹

Example Sentences

If the worker was exposed by a splash of contaminated milk to the eye, or a rub of the eye with a contaminated glove, the virus may have been stalled out — unable to replicate like it could have had the worker been exposed via inhalation.

From Los Angeles Times

The nicest, most renovated parks, with the fanciest playgrounds and the coolest splash pads, can be found in the other districts.

From Salon

And she’s right, there’s no real playground, certainly no splash pad.

From Salon

Who spent: Uber made a splash this year by dumping $30 million into its state committee in California called the Uber Innovation PAC.

From Los Angeles Times

Buster Posey was a splash hire by the San Francisco Giants a month ago as president of baseball operations, his pedigree including three World Series championships with the franchise and a likely Hall of Fame induction on the horizon.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dash
• sensation