spatter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "spatter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to spat or splatter, or as a noun meaning a scattered or scattered amount of something. Example sentence: The spatter of raindrops echoed off the windowpane.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

As huge rain-drops begin to spatter the ground, people scarper for cover.

The Economist

THE strength of the yen, especially against the South Korean won, has helped spatter Japanese electronics companies with red ink in recent years.

The Economist

Many in the party, including Yukio Hatoyama, the prime minister, have backed Mr Ozawa, who says the money for the land purchase came from his own family's bank accounts.Mr Ozawa's decision to clear his name while clinging to his exalted position in the DPJ has already started to spatter the party with mud.

The Economist

After each stop the car leaves a mark on the road's surface: a rectangle of red spatter, betel juice spewed out by the passengers.The farmsteads along the road are surrounded by fences that are capped with thatched roofs to protect their posts.

The Economist

Features include a 17-mile- (27-km) long lava tube system, a number of ice caves, volcanic cinder cones, one of New Mexico's largest natural arches (La Ventana), and more than 20 gas-and-lava spatter cones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If bombs are still molten or plastic when they land (a characteristic of those formed during the relatively weak explosions of basaltic magma), they may partly fuse to form volcanic spatter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Bullets rip into flesh, which flies out in messy chunks as blood spatters walls and falls like crimson rain on nicely arranged white flowers – on and on it goes, bang-bang-bang, spatter-spatter-spatter, mercilessly, while we, a grey-haired audience on a Wednesday afternoon, break open our foil-wrapped carrot cake and drain the dregs of our cappuccinos.

The Guardian - Opinion

An animal rights group has criticised researchers in New Zealand who shot live pigs in the head as part of a study on blood-spatter patterns.

Independent

Police blood-spatter analyst Dexter is in the perfect job to cover up the other side of his persona: serial killer.

Independent

The study, published in July in the International Journal of Legal Medicine, described how five of the animals were secured to a surgical table before being shot from close range with a Glock semi-automatic handgun to record the back-spatter of blood, bone and brain material.

Independent

Documentary-makers must piece fragments into an unforgettable story, but this time, old hands fail Police blood-spatter analyst Dexter is in the perfect job to cover up the other side of his persona: serial killer.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a liquid being dispersed, use "spatter" to suggest small, scattered droplets, rather than a uniform spray or a large splash.

Common error

Avoid using "spatter" and "splatter" interchangeably. "Spatter" typically implies smaller, more dispersed droplets, while "splatter" suggests a larger quantity and more forceful impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "spatter" functions primarily as a verb to describe the action of something being scattered or splashed in small droplets. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is also usable as a noun. Examples include "raindrops spatter the ground" or "blood spatter analysis".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "spatter" is a versatile word, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, functioning primarily as a verb to describe the dispersal of liquid in small droplets. Its usage spans diverse contexts, most notably news, encyclopedias, and scientific writings. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, understanding the nuances between "spatter" and similar terms like "splatter" is crucial for precise communication. Common mistakes, such as interchanging it with "splatter", should be avoided by recognizing the scale of dispersion each term implies. This guide has provided examples and helpful tips for using "spatter" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

splatter

A more forceful and uneven dispersal of liquid or material.

bespatter

To cover a surface with scattered droplets; more formal.

splash

A larger quantity of liquid striking a surface.

sprinkle

To lightly scatter small droplets or particles.

spray

To disperse a liquid in a fine mist.

scatter

A general term for dispersing items randomly.

stipple

To mark with numerous small dots or specks.

drip

To fall in drops.

splotch

To mark with irregular patches or spots.

smear

To spread an oily or wet substance over a surface.

FAQs

How to use "spatter" in a sentence?

You can use "spatter" to describe the action of small droplets being dispersed, as in "Raindrops "began to spatter" the window".

What can I say instead of "spatter"?

You can use alternatives like "splatter", "splash", or "sprinkle" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "spatter" or "splatter"?

Both "spatter" and "splatter" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Spatter" refers to small droplets, while "splatter" implies a larger, messier dispersal.

What's the difference between "spatter" and "spray"?

"Spatter" suggests scattered droplets, while "spray" implies a fine mist or a directed stream of liquid.