splash

1 of 2

verb

ˈsplash 

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

Synonyms of splash

Verb

• spray
• sprinkle
• slosh
• dash
• wash
• spatter
• slop

Noun

• sprinkling
• glimmer
• shred
• hint
• touch
• speck
• bit
• little
• lick

Examples of splash in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Piaget takes the bold colors splashed across the American creative’s face in the series and plops them right on the dial. — Nicole Hoey For Robb Report, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Where lettuce splashed with vinaigrette can feel like an afterthought, a juicy, savory-slanting pear salad is worth making room for on a plate full of turkey and cornbread. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Noun

Picture windows dominate the 30 ample rooms, which are pleasingly clad in unfinished wood and shocking splashes of lime. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

The scientists’ claim made a minor splash last year and has enjoyed something of a renaissance recently, thanks to an article in BBC Sky at Night Magazine and social media. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Nov. 2026

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)

Phrases Containing splash

• make a splash
• splash across/over
• splash guard
• splash out
• splash pad

Rhymes for splash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• dash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash

Kids Definition

splash

1 of 2 verb

ˈsplash 

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