splatter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "splatter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of liquid or a substance being scattered or splashed in various contexts, such as art, cooking, or accidents. Example: "The paint began to splatter on the canvas, creating an abstract masterpiece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The New Yorker

Independent

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Charlie was gregarious; he morris-danced and taught us how to lob a rotten apple (on the end of a pruning saw, it curve-balls perfectly and hits the unexpected in a great splatter).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Picture a video-game player and you will likely imagine a teenage boy, by himself, compulsively hammering away at a game involving rayguns and aliens that splatter when blasted.

The Economist

The mass blood donations for supplies to splatter on the office of the prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, was a creepy stunt.

The Economist

In Gaza, where on January 26th the Israeli army had mounted its deepest incursion into Gaza City since 1994, they buried their dead and dug ditches in the improbable hope of warding off an Israeli invasion.The Gazan raid had been provoked by the Palestinian rockets that routinely splatter Jewish settlements within the strip, and increasingly land on or near Israeli towns across the border.

The Economist

By now the fun and enthusiasm has infected everyone within sight or splatter range.

Independent

This however comes with a risk – do you get transported to them in an area where there's a lot of enemy ink, knowing there might be an adversary or three to splatter you straight away?

Independent

The controls take a little getting used to, but once you've mastered tactics like gliding through the ink in disguise, testing out different methods to splatter as much of the ground as possible shows what the Wii U is perfect for.

Independent

Blood splatter was also found in the kitchen, the living room and on the living room ceiling.

Independent

Torture porn is possibly the worst movement in the history of cinema, a sub-genre of the splatter movies that began appearing in the early 1960s that placed emphasis on visuals and positively thrived on lack of plot.

Independent

Each of the chapters – which examine themes such as fire scene investigation, toxicology, fingerprinting, DNA and blood splatter and facial reconstruction - contains a wealth of surprising information.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Based on Stephen Rebello's book about the making of Psycho, the film shows Hitchcock taking inspiration from – even, after a fashion, finding a spiritual guide in – Ed Gein Michael Wincottthe the Wisconsin murderer whose warped filial devotion sparked the creation of Norman Bates, and later revved up many a splatter-film chainsaw.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “splatter” to vividly describe actions involving the forceful scattering of liquids or other substances, enhancing the imagery and impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "splatter" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more neutral term like "spread" or "scatter" would be more appropriate. "Splatter" often carries a connotation of messiness or violence.

Linguistic Context

The term "splatter" serves as both a noun and a verb. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in describing both the action of something scattering messily and the resulting pattern or mess. Its use is considered grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

The New Yorker

17%

Independent

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "splatter" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, used to describe the action of something scattering messily, and the resulting pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in neutral to informal contexts, particularly in news and media, as exemplified by The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Independent. While generally appropriate, careful consideration should be given to its use in formal academic or scientific writing, where alternatives like "spread" or "scatter" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

splash

Refers to a larger, more forceful impact causing liquid to spread.

spatter

Implies a scattering of small drops or particles.

spray

Suggests a fine mist or stream of liquid being dispersed.

scatter

Indicates a more general distribution of something, not necessarily liquid.

sprinkle

Describes a light and even distribution of small particles.

daub

Involves applying something thickly or messily.

smear

Implies spreading a substance unevenly over a surface.

fling

Suggests throwing something forcefully, resulting in it spreading.

bespatter

A more formal term for covering something with scattered droplets.

drip

Refers to liquid falling in drops, potentially creating a scattered pattern.

FAQs

How is "splatter" typically used in a sentence?

The word "splatter" can function as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it describes the action of something falling or spreading in a messy or irregular way. As a noun, it refers to the resulting mess or pattern. For example: "The paint began to splatter on the canvas" or "The wall was covered in blood splatter".

What are some synonyms for "splatter"?

Alternatives to "splatter" include "splash", "spatter", "spray", "scatter" and "sprinkle". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of force or dispersion you wish to convey.

Is "splatter" appropriate for formal writing?

While "splatter" is a valid word, it often carries connotations of messiness or violence, making it less suitable for highly formal or professional writing. In such contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "spread" or "scatter".

What distinguishes "splatter" from "spatter"?

"Splatter" generally implies a larger quantity or a more forceful impact than "spatter". "Splatter" often suggests a messy or irregular pattern, while "spatter" can refer to a more delicate or even distribution of droplets.