stipple

1 of 2

verb

stip·​ple ˈsti-pəl 

stippled; stippling ˈsti-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to engrave by means of dots and flicks

2

a

: to make by small short touches (as of paint or ink) that together produce an even or softly graded shadow

b

: to apply (something, such as paint) by repeated small touches

3

: speckle, fleck

stippler

ˈsti-p(ə-)lər 

noun

stipple

2 of 2

noun

: production of gradation of light and shade in graphic art by stippling small points, larger dots, or longer strokes

also : an effect produced in this way

Synonyms of stipple

Verb

• dot
• sprinkle
• stain
• marble
• dye

Examples of stipple in a Sentence

Verb

the sunlight falling through the lace curtain stippled her face

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Two pumps on the back of my hand did the trick, stippling it across my red-speckled cheeks and around my nose. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025

Leaf-sucking spider mites stipple the foliage when the shrubs are planted in hot, dry areas. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026

Noun

The black splotches were raised, like tiny hillocks, and covered in even tinier white stipples. — Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2023

Squash bugs leave white stipples, or dots, on foliage, followed by yellowing leaves. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch stippelen to spot, dot

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stipple

• cripple
• nipple
• ripple
• tipple
• triple
• participle

Kids Definition

stipple

verb

stip·​ple

ˈstip-əl

stippled; stippling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to apply (as paint or ink) by repeated small touches

stipple noun

stippler

-(ə-)lər

noun