mottled

adjective

mot·​tled ˈmä-tᵊld How to pronounce mottled (audio)
: 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 Or the majestic turquoise mottled eggs of the blue jay? Jules Howard, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024 In the winter, their mottled brown feathers give way to snowy white plumage, which helps camouflage them against the powder. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2024 The mottled glass cold cup is another pretty option that’s beach-inspired. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024 Where the original was shiny and bright, this one is a mottled cartoon. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mottled 

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

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mottled was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near mottled

Cite this Entry

“Mottled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mottled. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.

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