Standard Lemma guide

bespatter

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /biˈspætɚ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ætə(ɹ)

1

verb

Meaning 1

To spatter or cover with something; sprinkle with anything liquid, or with any wet or adhesive substance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To soil by spattering.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To asperse with calumny or reproach; shend.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

spot, splash, or soil

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The baby spattered the bib with food

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: spatter

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: spot, fleck, blob, blot

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h1épsder. Proto-Indo-European *h1epider. Proto-Indo-European *h1pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Old English be- Middle English bi- English be- English spatter English bespatter From be- + spatter.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: pirskottaa — to sprinkle with anything liquid, or with any wet or adhesive substance
  • Finnish: pirskotella — to sprinkle with anything liquid, or with any wet or adhesive substance
  • Finnish: roiskia — to soil by spattering
  • Finnish: roiskuttaa — to soil by spattering
  • Finnish: panetella — to asperse with calumny
  • Finnish: herjata — to asperse with calumny