freckle

1 of 2

noun

freck·​le ˈfre-kəl 

: any of the small brownish spots in the skin due to augmented melanin production that increase in number and intensity on exposure to sunlight

freckly

ˈfre-k(ə-)lē 

adjective

freckle

2 of 2

verb

freckled; freckling ˈfre-k(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to sprinkle or mark with freckles or small spots

intransitive verb

: to become marked with freckles

Synonyms of freckle

Verb

• dot
• sprinkle
• stain
• pepper
• spot
• dye
• speck
• marble
• fleck

Examples of freckle in a Sentence

Noun

a pale, redheaded girl with freckles across her cheeks

Verb

His skin freckles but doesn't tan.

Tiny black spots freckled the walls.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Keep an eye out for tiny black dots that could resemble new freckles. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 4 June 2026

And for those with facial scars, freckles, a lazy eye, big ears and big teeth, there is someone out there for you. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026

Verb

Chloroplasts visibly freckled each cell from end to end. — Quanta Magazine, 4 May 2026

To give even more modern appeal, windows in varying sizes freckle the facade. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English freken, frekel, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse freknōttr freckled

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for freckle

• decal
• meckel
• shekel
• speckle
• thecal

Kids Definition

freckle

1 of 2 noun

freck·​le ˈfrek-əl 

: a small brownish spot in the skin

freckly

-(ə-)lē 

adjective

freckle

2 of 2 verb

freckled; freckling ˈfrek-(ə-)liŋ 

: to mark or become marked with freckles

Medical Definition

freckle

1 of 2 noun

freck·​le ˈfrek-əl 

: any of the small brownish spots in the skin that are due to augmented melanin production and that increase in number and intensity on exposure to sunlight

called also ephelis

compare lentigo

freckled

-əld 

adjective

freckle

2 of 2 transitive verb

freckled; freckling ˈfrek-(ə-)liŋ 

: to become marked with freckles