stipple

verb stip·ple \ ˈsti-pəl \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of stipple

stippled; stippling play \ˈsti-p(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb

1 : to engrave by means of dots and flicks

2 a : to make by small short touches (as of paint or ink) that together produce an even or softly graded shadow

b : to apply (something, such as paint) by repeated small touches

3 : speckle, fleck

—

stippler

play \ˈsti-p(ə-)lər\ noun

See stipple defined for English-language learners

See stipple defined for kids

Examples of stipple in a Sentence

the sunlight falling through the lace curtain stippled her face

Recent Examples of stipple from the Web

The beans on Sando’s site look like gems in a jewelry case: crimson, violet, black, and gold; stippled, striped, and swirled.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "The Hunt for Mexico’s Heirloom Beans," 17 Apr. 2018
Cross-examination Under cross-examination by defense attorney Matthew Goetz, Troxclair testified that things such as clothing and other barriers like the ladder in Gasser's passenger seat, could affect the amount of stippling found on a body.

— carlie kollath wells, NOLA.com, "Man killed in 7th Ward shooting, New Orleans police say," 26 Jan. 2018
Either use a contour palette or a matte concealer two shades lighter than your skin tone, and then begin applying it with a sponge or stippling brush to the high points of your face.

— brooke shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "How to Apply Highlighter Based on the Glow You Want," 20 Feb. 2018
The lemons and limes come stippled with a natural texture, green leaves and all, while the apricot, full of fruit filling, has an incredibly organic texture.

— kristen bateman, Vogue, "Surreal Fruit Pastries Have Made This Chef an Instagram Star," 18 Oct. 2017
Do: Apply a light layer of oil-free moisturizer and then apply a light layer of self-tan using a flat head stippling makeup brush such as the T1 Tontour Brush.

— nicole saunders, Billboard, "The Definitive Guide To Self-Tanning Like Khloe Kardashian," 26 July 2017
Forget the foils—Hairstory's Roxie Darling likes to stipple with an actual paintbrush.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "5 Highlighting Techniques That Will Give You the Best Hair Color of Your Life," 17 Mar. 2017
Construction cranes once again stipple the Dublin skyline, and work has resumed on buildings left unfinished during the recession.

— jennifer duggan / dublin, Time, "A Portrait of the Prime Minister As a Young Man," 13 July 2017
As opposed to swirling, stippling will blend and deposit product at the same time for a second-skin effect.

— lauren valenti, Marie Claire, "7 Ways You're Using Your Beautyblender Wrong," 17 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of stipple

Dutch stippelen to spot, dot

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1762

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

stipple Synonyms

Synonyms

blotch, dapple, dot, fleck, freckle, marble, mottle, pepper, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, sprinkle;

Related Words

blot, dye, stain;

band, bar, streak, stripe;

intersperse, set, stud;

bespatter, spatter;

stipple

noun

Definition of stipple

: production of gradation of light and shade in graphic art by stippling small points, larger dots, or longer strokes; also : an effect produced in this way