dappled

1 of 2

adjective

dap·​pled ˈda-pəld 

variants or less commonly dapple

ˈda-pəl 

: marked with small spots or patches contrasting with the background

a dappled fawn

dappled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of dapple entry 2

Synonyms of dappled

Adjective

• dotted

Examples of dappled in a Sentence

Adjective

a forest that was vibrant with the dappled foliage of autumn

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Trees blow in the breeze, birds chirp, and the dappled sunlight kisses our skin as six of us observe the chef and snap photos during our outdoor mayonnaise-making class. — Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Around Woodland Margins In the wild, poison ivy typically grows best in the dappled light along the edges of forests or along hiking trails that get just a touch of sun. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2026

To ease the demands of watering, consider moving some containers out of full sun locations and into areas of dappled shade. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026

But for the Tayler children, Lessing later recalled, life in the bush was a dappled, buzzing wonderland. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dappled

• grappled

Kids Definition

dappled

adjective

dap·​pled

ˈdap-əld

variants also dapple

: marked with numerous usually cloudy and rounded spots or patches of a color or shade different from their background

a dappled fawn

rested in the dappled shade