dappled

1 of 2

adjective

dap·​pled ˈda-pəld 

variants or less commonly dapple

ˈda-pəl 

: marked with small spots or patches contrasting with the background

a dappled fawn

dappled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of dapple entry 2

Synonyms of dappled

Adjective

• dotted

Examples of dappled in a Sentence

Adjective

a forest that was vibrant with the dappled foliage of autumn

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Her eyes were cast up through the dappled light of the trees tossing their leaves in a light breeze. — Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Heuchera prefer shade, morning sun, or dappled shade, though a few varieties can tolerate full sun. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2026

One by one, two by two, hikers climb through dappled shade and emerge onto a narrow path etched into the side of Empire Bluff, hundreds of feet above Lake Michigan. — Mike Norton, Midwest Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Ride Lonesome is amorphous, hazy, dappled, and almost impossibly pretty. — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dappled

• grappled

Kids Definition

dappled

adjective

dap·​pled

ˈdap-əld

variants also dapple

: marked with numerous usually cloudy and rounded spots or patches of a color or shade different from their background

a dappled fawn

rested in the dappled shade