speck

noun

\ ˈspek

Definition of speck

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a small discoloration or spot especially from stain or decay

2 : a very small amount : bit

3 : something marked or marred with specks

speck

verb

specked; specking; specks

Definition of speck (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to produce specks on or in

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Examples of speck in a Sentence

Noun

There was not a speck of dust anywhere. Soon the balloon was only a speck in the sky. She writes without a speck of humor.

Verb

dirt that had specked the windows of the factory for ages

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The rocket is barely a speck in the sky now, with an arcing contrail and still-bright engine exhaust. — Popular Mechanics, "55 Things to Do Before the World Ends," 19 Apr. 2018 This small speck on the map is the connecting hub for Marin county’s outer farmlands, and has quickly become a mini gourmand mecca. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days On California's Russian River and Sonoma Coast," 16 Apr. 2018 The speck was just a pixel of light, but a pixel that hadn't appeared in any prior photos. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Amateur Astronomer Captures Very First Light of a Supernova for the First Time in History," 21 Feb. 2018 The fine amounts to a speck on Facebook’s finances. — Danica Kirka, The Seattle Times, "UK fines Facebook over data privacy scandal, EU seeks audit," 26 Oct. 2018 For hungry guests, there were bowls of risotto topped with crunchy speck and chestnut, and French fries with the phrase #iconoftheicons decorating their paper cups. — Monica Kim, Vogue, "Bella! Diplo! Davika! Suho! Bulgari Goes Global for Bzero1’s Fantastic Roman Festa," 20 Feb. 2019 Right now, there is physical way for a human to touch even a speck of Martian dirt. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Create Martian Dirt and It's $20 Per Kilo," 1 Oct. 2018 The staple that goes with all of this awesomeness is a fluffy couscous, tiny, tiny specks of pasta that is kind of like how rice is for us Asians. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Chrissy Teigen Is Cooking Some of Her Favorite Recipes on Instagram," 18 Dec. 2018 Zoom out and you are sent hurling back through the picture until the minutiae resume their existence as tiny specks. — A.j. Goldmann, WSJ, "‘Bruegel’ Review: Enduring Fascination," 6 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Now, their territory has fewer than 1,000 residents and consists of about 7,300 acres, with roads wandering through woods specked with modest family homes. — New York Times, "A Story of Survival Revived by the Cicadas’ Loud (and Crunchy) Return," 22 June 2018 For all its strengths, though, the series proves a bit of a slog, at times, as the wheels turn along the dusty, blood-specked road to wherever this maze leads. — Brian Lowry, CNN, "'Westworld' remains easy to admire, harder to like in new season," 19 Apr. 2018 To get into the spirit, order a ginger beer and rock shrimp fritters, fried balls of doughy goodness specked with bell pepper and spices that come steaming hot with a side of spicy mayo. — Mark Kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Best New Restaurant #10: River Bistro, Detroit," 12 Feb. 2018 Moonchild is specked with obvious glitter, which could be a deterrent for some. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "This Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow Kit Alternative Is a Quarter of the Price," 15 Sep. 2017 The majority of it, however, was specked with red SALE signs, noting that the red, white, and blue a-line miniskirt was 40 percent off (from $80 to $53.40) and white sculpting mid-rise skinny jeans (from $89 to $36.60). — Emily Jane Fox, vanityfair.com, "Fear and Loathing in Bedminster: On the Ground in the Quiet, Bucolic Town Where Donald Trump Is Toying with Blowing Up the World," 10 Aug. 2017 The majority of it, however, was specked with red SALE signs, noting that the red, white, and blue a-line miniskirt was 40 percent off (from $80 to $53.40) and white sculpting mid-rise skinny jeans (from $89 to $36.60). — Emily Jane Fox, The Hive, "Fear and Loathing in Bedminster: On the Ground in the Quiet, Bucolic Town Where Donald Trump Is Toying with Blowing Up the World," 10 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'speck.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.