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Glite Dictionary
🟣 A big mark 🟣 To make marks
splotch

splotch

3 4.8
A large uneven mark of color or dirt on a surface
  • noun
  • /splɑtʃ/
: mancha
  • "I like it," Dorothy said, stepping back to stare at the blue splotch.
  • a red splotch
  • a big splotch
  • a blue splotch

I was inspecting every day and waiting to see the purple splotch and I found a spot on my leg.

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Examples

  • The left side is shades of green with patches of yellow and a splotch of red.

    Blog text (24)

  • The egg was marked by a large yellowish splotch in the shape of a dragon backwinging to land, talons outstretched to grasp rock.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • A white splotch appeared in the dark.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The orange splotch that was his cat was moving.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Now for some shine because right now it's just a splotch of color.

  • The woman finished covering the splotch and stood back.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • That's a big, red splotch at the belt and over the heart of the plate.

    Blog text (1)

  • A crimson splotch discolored the side of his face like a massive sunburn in the shape of a handprint.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The Murphys' dented brown sedan was gone from the driveway, leaving behind a long, oily splotch.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • There was a bright splotch of blood on the towel, as distinct as a stain on a carpet.

Synonyms

mark
vssplotch
468 1.0

A visible line, spot, scratch, or stain on a surface

is more specific, meaning a large irregular colored or dirty spot
stain
vssplotch
224 1.4

A mark that makes something a different color and is hard to remove

is similar but does not focus on being hard to remove
smudge
vssplotch
30 1.9

A dirty mark on something that makes it look untidy

is similar but does not emphasize untidiness
smear
vssplotch
14 4.1

A messy mark left on a surface by a substance

is similar but is a single spot rather than a spread mark
blotch
vssplotch
4 3.9

A large irregular spot on skin or another surface that is a different color

is broader, covering marks of color or dirt rather than only discoloration
inkblot
vssplotch
3 6.3

A spot of ink with an irregular shape often used in tests

is the same shape but used generally rather than mainly for testing
splodge
vssplotch
  • UK
7.7

A large messy spot of paint, mud, or ink

is similar but does not imply the mark was made by accident
blotch of ink
vssplotch
3.5

A dark patch of ink from a spill or a smudge

is similar but applies to any color or dirt rather than only ink
smirch
vssplotch
  • Archaic
9.8

A dirty mark that spoils the look of clothing or fabric

is similar but refers to large irregular marks rather than only spoilage

Antonyms

clean
∞ 1.0

Free from dirt or harmful things

spotless
41 2.5

Completely clean with no stains or dirt

How Big

stain
224 1.4
splotch
3 4.8
blot
8 2.7
spot
297 1.0
speck
66 1.3

Surface Forms

splotch singular
splotches plural

Morphology

splotch = spot + blotch (transparent) = spot + blotch

The word appears to be a blend of 'spot' and 'blotch', and the meaning 'an irregular mark' follows directly from those components.

Etymology

Splotch can be remembered as a mix of spot and splash or splat, giving the image of a 'messy mark' of color or dirt, which is exactly what a splotch is.