noun

splatter

SPLAT

noun

A messy, scattered pattern left by something striking a surface.

"There was a splatter of paint across the tarp."

A horror genre marked by extreme, graphic gore.

"The film is a classic of 1980s splatter horror."

verb

To scatter or spray messily across a surface.

"Grease splattered all over the stovetop."

"He splattered paint across the canvas for effect."

How to Use Splatter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA messy scatter or spray, or (as a genre) extremely gory horror.

Common pairings

splatter film blood splatter

splattered past tense, splatters plural, splatters singular

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Can you complete this real example?

There was a _____ of paint across the tarp.

Of uncertain origin, first recorded in the 1780s — possibly a blend of splash and spatter.

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