freckle

1 of 2

noun

freck·​le ˈfre-kəl How to pronounce freckle (audio)
: 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 adjective

freckle

2 of 2

verb

freckled; freckling ˈfre-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce freckle (audio)

transitive verb

: to sprinkle or mark with freckles or small spots

intransitive verb

: to become marked with freckles

Example Sentences

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
The heirloom vegetables are topped with what looks like strips of blond bacon but is in fact wrinkly, melt-on-the tongue guanciale, while the cheese acquires its freckles and subtle smokiness from Urfa chile flakes. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 The Frecks duo pack includes Freck XL for dotting on larger freckles and Freck Noir designed specifically for mid to dark skin tones. Jacorey Moon, Good Housekeeping, 20 Mar. 2023 In each photo, Ross makes a different happy or silly face—embracing her body, natural freckles, messy hair, and raw beauty. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Apr. 2023 From bangs to blowouts, French manis to freckles, this week’s best beauty Instagrams were all about committing to the bit. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2023 Some, like Workman, are marked by sprays of odd-looking freckles. Holly Bailey, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2023 The Frecks $50 at freckbeauty.com Remi Brixton launched her Freck Beauty line in 2017 with the intention of reclaiming and celebrating freckles. Jacorey Moon, Good Housekeeping, 20 Mar. 2023 Coconut Kitty had a button nose, a dusting of freckles, and looked significantly younger than Deets. Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2023 Your lip liner is the perfect freckle pencil. Nicole Phelps, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2020
Verb
After my third dinner, Flora was whipping up gratis drinks, one night mezcal and tamarind syrup capped with frothy egg white freckled with chocolate bitters. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2023 Plus, colorful hot air balloons that freckle the skies during a late-summer festival, an alpine coaster that glides through a mile of mountain terrain, and a calendar packed with fun events in the square that anchors Snowmass Village all make summer an ideal time to visit. Brittany Anas, Forbes, 28 May 2021 Come autumn, copper and crimson leaves freckle this quiet woodland, creating a destination so captivating that Tudor kings once frequented these parts for tranquil holidays and pristine hunting. Stephanie Vermillion, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2021 In the short term, a wave of low pressure spreads rain back into the area today, and more pop-up showers and T-storms will freckle the Doppler radar screen late Friday and Saturday. Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, 8 Sep. 2020 Yard signs proclaiming residents proudly vote by mail freckle the nation. Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2020 The custard will get lightly freckled and the streusel will toast. Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2019 These days Normandy is still freckled with the cemeteries of war and the graves of soldiers of many nations, a reminder of a common purpose against Hitler’s onslaught. Alan Cowell, New York Times, 6 June 2019 Beneath the cover of blistered, chive-freckled Emmental cheese, your spoon finds a soup made robust with mushroom and beef broths. Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freckle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of freckle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near freckle

Cite this Entry

“Freckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freckle. Accessed 31 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

freckle

1 of 2 noun
freck·​le ˈfrek-əl How to pronounce freckle (audio)
: a small brownish spot in the skin
freckly adjective

freckle

2 of 2 verb
freckled; freckling ˈfrek-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce freckle (audio)
: to mark or become marked with freckles

Medical Definition

freckle

1 of 2 noun
freck·​le ˈfrek-əl How to pronounce freckle (audio)
: 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 adjective

freckle

2 of 2 transitive verb
freckled; freckling ˈfrek-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce freckle (audio)
: to become marked with freckles

More from Merriam-Webster on freckle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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