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

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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The black sea bass, painted with turmeric sauce and splashed with what was essentially dill pistou, seemed to be an inspired reworking of the signature dish of Hanoi’s most famous fish restaurant, Cha Ca La Vong. Pete Wells, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023 Flaherty wasn’t the deadline splash other teams made, which is why the Orioles didn’t have to part ways with one of the gems of their farm system to get him; each of the prospects dealt ranked outside their top 10. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2023 Person in Florida dies after brain-eating amoeba infection, possibly due to sinus rinse with tap water, health officials warn Multiple samples from the pool and splash pad were sent to the CDC for evaluation, the release said. Christina Zdanowicz, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023 In more recent years, Grace has splashed back onto small screens, appearing in a 2019 episode of Black Mirror. Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023 Decór, including neon lights, plenty of campaign posters, and a concert stage where Caroline Polachek performed, were splashed with the statement hue. Alyssa Bailey, ELLE, 7 Sep. 2023 Had all gone well, both the booster and Starship were to have separated and each made their own hard water landings, with the booster splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico and Starship in the Pacific Ocean after its flight. Tribune News Service, Dallas News, 6 Sep. 2023 On April 17, her husband and the other astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Michael S. Rosenwald, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023 Fake ad campaigns featuring Raimondo as a Huawei brand ambassador have splashed across Chinese social media platforms in the wake of the phone’s release. Meaghan Tobin, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023
Noun
The rare but deadly amoeba was confirmed to be present at the splash pad at the Little Rock Country Club, according to a statement from the Arkansas Department of Health. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023 An Arkansas resident has died after being infected with an extremely rare brain-eating amoeba, and health officials have concluded they were likely exposed to it at a country club's splash pad, authorities announced Thursday. CBS News, 15 Sep. 2023 In 2021, a 3-year-old died from a brain infection from Naegleria fowleri after spending time in a splash pad, according to the CDC. Christina Zdanowicz, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023 Sep 14 Jay Peters Dave the Diver splashes onto Nintendo Switch in October. Jay Peters, The Verge, 14 Sep. 2023 How to make a big splash with a small garden Prune it To ensure your little tree stays little, prune it twice a year using pruning shears, a small handsaw and loppers. Nevin Martell, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023 Family-friendly amenities include a pool with waterslides, a splash park, a rock climbing wall, horseshoes, tennis, bocce ball, and board games. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2023 In Boston, 15 Centers for Youth & Families community centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 64 splash pads will be operating, along with the city’s public pools, officials said. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 Soccer superstar Leo Messi is ready to make another splash in the soccer world. Jack McKessy, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 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

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