mottled

adjective

mot·​tled ˈmä-tᵊld How to pronounce mottled (audio)
Synonyms of mottlednext
: marked with spots of different colors : having blotches of two or more colors
mottled tree bark
a mottled complexion
the bird's mottled plumage
A combination of red and blue pigments in the shell of a live lobster creates a mottled camouflage of indeterminate hue that blends in with the ocean floor.Kenneth Chang

Examples of mottled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep your furry friend warm this winter with this cozy turtleneck sweater made from mottled gray-black fabric. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026 Here creamy sand tips into calm Caribbean waters, where mottled turquoise and aquamarine hues transform into molten silver come dusk. Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 The mottled leather gives it a vintage look, while its pointed collar and knit hem offer a tailored and polished finish that also accentuates your shape. Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026 Crowson also shot his first mottled duck. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mottled

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mottled was in 1676

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mottled. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mottled

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster