What does spatter mean?
To spatter means to scatter small drops or specks of a substance, especially a liquid such as mud, paint, water, oil, or food. A person may spatter another person, an object, or a surface, while a liquid itself may spatter over something or into the air. The word is especially vivid when the result is messy or conspicuous, as when food flies across a table or mud marks someone’s clothing. As a noun, a spatter is an individual spot or splash, while “a spatter of rain” suggests a light, scattered shower. Although splatter is sometimes used similarly, spatter commonly focuses on the separate drops or specks produced by the impact of a liquid. Spatter can also describe small particles being scattered, but its everyday use is primarily associated with wet or splashable substances.
To scatter small drops or specks of liquid over a surface or person, or to cause a liquid to fall in small drops.
"The bicycle spattered us with mud from the unpaved road."
Often used with a marked or affected object as the direct object. It may also be used intransitively when the substance being scattered is the subject.
A small spot or splash of liquid, or the scattering of liquid or other material in small drops or specks.
"The wall was covered in a spatter of paint."
Countable when referring to individual spots or to an act of scattering; also used in phrases such as “a spatter of rain.”
Used for individual spots or splashes of liquid and for separate instances or results of scattering.
"Several spatters of paint dried on the wooden surface."
To spatter is to break a splash into its individual spots—the moment one splash becomes many.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spatter come from?
The English word entered use in the 17th century from Dutch spatteren, meaning to splash or scatter liquid. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, though the Dutch word is commonly thought to imitate the sound of liquid striking a surface. English later extended the verb to describe the scattering of small particles as well as liquid drops.
Related word forms
How spatter is actually used
The verb is commonly transitive with the thing marked as the object: “The paint spattered the floor.” It can also be intransitive: “The soup began to spatter over the edge.” The noun is countable for individual marks and can be used in the singular or plural for the general activity of scattering drops.
Easily confused with spatter
Both words describe liquid striking a surface in scattered drops, but splatter often suggests a larger and more forceful spray.