splash

1 of 2

verb

splashed; splashing; splashes

intransitive verb

1
a
: to strike and dash about a liquid or semiliquid substance
b
: to move in or into a liquid or semiliquid substance and cause it to spatter
2
a(1)
: to become spattered about
(2)
: to spread or scatter in the manner of splashed liquid
b
: to fall, strike, or move with a splashing sound
a brook splashing over rocks

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to dash a liquid or thinly viscous substance upon or against
(2)
: to soil or stain with splashed liquid
b
: to mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture
c
: to display prominently
a story splashed on the front page
2
a
: to cause (a liquid or thinly viscous substance) to spatter about especially with force
b
: to scatter in the manner of a splashed liquid
splasher noun

splash

2 of 2

noun

1
a(1)
: splashed liquid or semiliquid substance
also : impounded water released suddenly
(2)
: a spot or daub from or as if from splashed liquid
a mud splash on the fender
b
: a colored patch
2
a
: the action of splashing
b
: a short plunge
3
: a sound produced by or as if by a liquid falling, moving, being hurled, or oscillating
4
a
: a vivid impression created especially by ostentatious activity or appearance
b
: ostentatious display
5
: a small amount : sprinkling

Examples of splash in a Sentence

Verb He dropped the bottle and bleach splashed onto the floor. We could hear the waves splashing against the side of the boat. The baby splashed the water. Don't splash water at your brother. I accidentally splashed some water on the floor. She splashed cold water on her face. We were splashed by a passing car. She splashed her face with cold water. The dog was splashing through the waves. Noun at least you have a splash of common sense—which is more than we can say for your mother
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
By sunset, kids splash in the shallows while fishermen haul in their last catch of the day. Natalie Stoclet, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 In a separate concurrence, Justice Neil Gorsuch splashed cold water on the argument. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
There is only one back-to-back set, right before the break on Feb. 8 and 9. Upstart goaltenders have made big splashes in Montreal in the past. Carol Schram, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 Rare is it that a debut cookbook written by someone without a large preexisting fan base makes such a splash, but the book continues to this day to be a go-to resource for anybody looking to develop their confidence in the kitchen and is in many ways a modern classic. Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for splash 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of plash

First Known Use

Verb

1709, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(2)

Noun

1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of splash was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near splash

Cite this Entry

“Splash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splash. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

splash

1 of 2 verb
1
a
: to cause (something liquid or sloppy) to move and scatter roughly
splash water
b
: to wet, soil, or stain by spattering with something liquid or sloppy
splashed by a passing car
2
: to move or strike with a splashing sound
splash through a puddle
a brook splashing over rocks
3
: to spread or scatter like a splashed liquid
the sunset splashed the sky with red
splasher noun

splash

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: splashed material
b
: a spot or smear from or as if from splashed liquid
2
: the sound or action of splashing

More from Merriam-Webster on splash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!