Word Verb
mottled
v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈmɑtəɫd/ UK /mˈɒtəld/ mot·tled
Definition
v.having a surface that is covered with different colors or marks. It often describes skin, leaves, or fruit that looks patchy or uneven.
v.marked with patches of different colors or shades, often in an irregular or blotchy pattern. Frequently describes biological surfaces or natural textures.
Examples
“The old man's skin was mottled with age spots.”
“The autumn leaves were mottled with red, orange, and brown as they began to fall from the trees.”
“The patient's mottled complexion suggested a lack of circulation, prompting the nurse to check for signs of shock or hypothermia immediately.”
Real-world usage
“He cuts one open to show me the inside, mottled brown and floury.”
Etymology
1670-80 mottle + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated