mottle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "mottle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a pattern of spots or blotches of different colours on the surface of something. For example, "The leaves of the plant were mottled with yellow, green and white spots".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

(I, for example, have a small group of inner nuns who appear now and then — also known as a "swarm" or a "mottle" of nuns.

The New Yorker

Lilac and burgundy mottle the foliage of maple-leaved viburnums.

The New York Times

It is hard not to feel disappointed by the way the mottle fades into bruise-brown as the beans cook.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then there are the subtle, soft-coloured lichens that mottle the boulders right now and make of them a kind of cartography.

The Guardian

Most notably, his skin lacks the horrid mottle of many TV adventures; and though the decision to skip the ageing makeup (Coogan is 47 to Partridge's 55) is initially disconcerting, that grotesque element might have glared a bit in widescreen.

The Guardian - Film

Although I'm loth to mess around with something as classic as an apple turnover, the blackberries and thyme really make a difference here: the berries mottle the stewed apple with rich, crimson juices; thyme lends a gentle, woody note that makes these definitively autumnal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

When the first herdbook was published in 1846, the editor grouped the breed into four classes: mottle-faced, light gray, dark gray, and red with white faces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is saved, sort of, by the dull, retiring, mottle-legged, stale-breathed mother whom he always took for granted, and barely mentions in the book.

The New Yorker

In "Era of Argus" a man feeds a peacock outside a Unabomber-like shack beneath a sky of flat-cut maple and mottle-figured aspen.

The New York Times - Arts

In the village of Bhutal Kalan in Sangrur district, for instance, the farmers complain not just of water levels dropping by two metres after each of the two harvests a year but also of fluorosis, which may cause mottling of the teeth and skin, or, in its skeletal form, arthritic pain and bone deformities.

The Economist

The most common of these suffixes are applied to B horizons: g to denote mottling caused by waterlogging, h to denote the illuvial accumulation of humus, k to denote carbonate mineral precipitates, o to denote residual metal oxides, s to denote the illuvial accumulation of metal oxides and humus, and t to denote the accumulation of clay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mottle" to describe the uneven distribution of color or shading on a surface. It is suitable for both literal descriptions of physical objects and more figurative applications.

Common error

Avoid using "mottle" when describing very large, distinct areas of different colors. Words like "patchwork" or "multicolored" might be more appropriate in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The word "mottle" functions as both a transitive verb, meaning to mark something with spots or blotches, and as a noun, referring to the pattern or appearance created by such markings. Ludwig's examples showcase both usages, confirming its versatility in describing visual textures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mottle" is a versatile word functioning as both a verb and a noun, used to describe surfaces marked with spots or blotches of color. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its common presence in news, encyclopedias and lifestyle content. While not overly formal, it provides a descriptive precision useful in various contexts. Remember to reserve "mottle" for describing uneven color distribution, avoiding its use for large, uniform areas. Alternatives like "speckle", "dapple", or "blotch" may be more appropriate depending on the specific pattern you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dapple

Implies a pattern of spots, often rounded and lighter against a darker background.

speckle

Refers to small spots, often densely distributed.

spot

Refers to individual marks or dots.

fleck

Suggests small, scattered marks or spots.

blotch

Describes irregular patches of color.

stipple

Indicates a pattern created with dots or small marks.

streak

Involves long, thin marks or lines of color.

patch

Implies larger, distinct areas of color.

variegate

Emphasizes a diversity of colors or patterns.

marble

Suggests a veined or swirled pattern, like that of marble stone.

FAQs

How do you use "mottle" in a sentence?

You can use "mottle" to describe a surface marked with spots or blotches of different colors or shades. For example, "The artist used various shades of paint to "mottle" the canvas".

What's the difference between "mottle" and "dapple"?

"Mottle" generally refers to irregular spots or blotches, while "dapple" suggests a pattern of rounded spots, often lighter against a darker background.

What can I say instead of "mottle"?

Depending on the context, you could use "speckle", "dapple", or "blotch" as alternatives to "mottle".

Is "mottling" a correct word?

Yes, "mottling" is the gerund or present participle of "mottle" and can be used as a noun to describe the process or appearance of being mottled, such as "The "mottling" of the leaves indicated a nutrient deficiency".