splash

1 of 2

verb

splashed; splashing; splashes

intransitive verb

1
a
: to strike and dash about a liquid or semiliquid substance
b
: to move in or into a liquid or semiliquid substance and cause it to spatter
2
a(1)
: to become spattered about
(2)
: to spread or scatter in the manner of splashed liquid
b
: to fall, strike, or move with a splashing sound
a brook splashing over rocks

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to dash a liquid or thinly viscous substance upon or against
(2)
: to soil or stain with splashed liquid
b
: to mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture
c
: to display prominently
a story splashed on the front page
2
a
: to cause (a liquid or thinly viscous substance) to spatter about especially with force
b
: to scatter in the manner of a splashed liquid
splasher noun

splash

2 of 2

noun

1
a(1)
: splashed liquid or semiliquid substance
also : impounded water released suddenly
(2)
: a spot or daub from or as if from splashed liquid
a mud splash on the fender
b
: a colored patch
2
a
: the action of splashing
b
: a short plunge
3
: a sound produced by or as if by a liquid falling, moving, being hurled, or oscillating
4
a
: a vivid impression created especially by ostentatious activity or appearance
b
: ostentatious display
5
: a small amount : sprinkling

Example Sentences

Verb He dropped the bottle and bleach splashed onto the floor. We could hear the waves splashing against the side of the boat. The baby splashed the water. Don't splash water at your brother. I accidentally splashed some water on the floor. She splashed cold water on her face. We were splashed by a passing car. She splashed her face with cold water. The dog was splashing through the waves. Noun at least you have a splash of common sense—which is more than we can say for your mother See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
On Friday, with the clock about to expire in the Lakers’ 121-107 win over the Suns, James held the ball above his head and fired a laser to D’Angelo Russell, who splashed home a three-pointer. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2023 The temperature and humidity are instead controlled simply by opening a window here or splashing a little water there. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2023 Dedicated by the Joaquin County residents of Japanese ancestry, this secret hideaway beckons you across its red arched bridge to meander along a babbling brook, where waterfalls splash into a koi fish pond. Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 2 Apr. 2023 Smith is also reviewing the classified documents, pictures of which have been splashed across newspaper pages nationwide. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2023 Having to clear 30-inch hurdles 28 times, plus splashing over the water barrier seven times, the steeplechase is dear to Ostrander. Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2023 Guests could also peruse the booths that sold toys and VHS tapes, get a Furby tattoo or put on a disposable coverall and have neon green slime splashed over their heads like the Nickelodeon stars of yore. Madeleine Aggeler, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2023 Each of the three laundry baskets is made from cotton fabric that dried quickly when splashed with water. Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2023 Zola whirled in a plastic blue kiddie pool as the water splashed up around him. Shayla Love, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2023
Noun
More:Oregon commit QB Luke Moga locked in on Sunnyslope football after making splash on track Can freshman Dash Wasson become new school Crismon's first state champion in the boys pole vault? Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, 11 May 2023 The Little Mermaid splashes into theaters on May 26. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2023 Set amid a 20-acre central park with oak trees and a 5-acre stocked lake, the amenity center includes a resort-style swimming pool, lap pool, kids’ splash pool, amphitheater, tennis and basketball courts, playground and island. Mustang Lakes, Dallas News, 23 Apr. 2023 During testing, the mattress pad stayed securely on the mattress and protected it from a splash of apple juice. Molly Blanco, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2023 The Emirates Breakfast Martini starts with a teaspoon of marmalade, followed by Cointreau, Sipsmith London Dry Gin, and a splash of lime and orange juices. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2023 Artist Yto Barrada began renovating the dilapidated theater in 2006, bringing a huge splash of color in the heart of the city. Graham H. Cornwell, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2023 Given that most SUVs this small don't offer hybrid variants, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid could make a sizable splash with buyers who want the same thrifty experience as a Corolla Hybrid but in a taller package. Andrew Krok, Car and Driver, 7 Apr. 2023 In an email, a Dominion spokeswoman noted the remark was about a splash screen that was hiding an error message. Stuart A. Thompson, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'splash.' 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

Verb

alteration of plash

First Known Use

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(2)

Noun

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of splash was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near splash

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

splash

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to cause (something liquid or sloppy) to move and scatter roughly
splash water
b
: to wet, soil, or stain by spattering with something liquid or sloppy
splashed by a passing car
2
: to move or strike with a splashing sound
splash through a puddle
a brook splashing over rocks
3
: to spread or scatter like a splashed liquid
the sunset splashed the sky with red
splasher noun

splash

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: splashed material
b
: a spot or smear from or as if from splashed liquid
2
: the sound or action of splashing

More from Merriam-Webster on splash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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