English Meaning & Definitions
Marked with spots or smears of color; having a variegated or blotchy appearance.
- “The bird had mottled brown and white feathers that helped it blend into the forest floor.”
- “Her skin was mottled with cold after spending hours in the freezing rain.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “mottled”.
Originating in the late 16th century, 'mottled' is likely a back-formation from 'motley,' which itself stems from the Middle English 'motley' (variegated cloth). It is believed to be related to the Old French 'matelé' (clotted or curdled), describing a surface marked with spots or smears of color.
Think of a 'mottled' cow: it has 'lots' of spots.
Frequently Asked Questions About “mottled”
1. What is the meaning of “mottled” in English?
In English, mottled (adjective) is defined as: “Marked with spots or smears of color; having a variegated or blotchy appearance.”.
2. How do you use “mottled” in a sentence?
“The bird had mottled brown and white feathers that helped it blend into the forest floor.”
3. What are English synonyms of “mottled”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “mottled”?
Originating in the late 16th century, 'mottled' is likely a back-formation from 'motley,' which itself stems from the Middle English 'motley' (variegated cloth). It is believed to be related to the Old French 'matelé' (clotted or curdled), describing a surface marked with spots or smears of color.
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