mottled
gb/mˈɑtəld/ us/mˈɑtəld/
B2
English
foltos, tarka, márványozott
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is mottled (with [color/marks])
The bird has mottled brown feathers that blend into the forest floor.
A madárnak foltos barna tollazata van, amely beleolvad az erdő talajába.
His notebook cover was mottled with pale blue and grey patches.
A füzetborító halványkék és szürke foltokkal volt tarkítva.
Sunlight fell through the trees in a mottled pattern across the path.
Learner examples
The leaf is mottled green and yellow.
A levél zöld és sárga foltos.
The wall looked mottled after the paint dried.
A fal foltosnak tűnt, miután megszáradt a festék.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse mottled (irregular spots/patches) with striped (lines) or speckled (many tiny dots).
Meaning
spotted with mixed colors
Collocations
mottled skin
|mottled leaves
|mottled fur
|mottled feathers
|mottled pattern
|mottled surface
|mottled stone
|mottled grey
|mottled brown
|mottled light
Synonyms
blotchy (Often used for skin and suggests uneven patches.)
|
dappled (Often used for light/shade or an attractive spotted effect.)
|
speckled (Suggests many small dots rather than larger patches.)
Antonyms
uniform (Even and consistent in color or appearance.)
|
solid (One plain color with no pattern.)
Themes
appearance
|nature
|colors
Definition
not one color, but with many small spots or patches of different colors
Having an irregular pattern of spots or patches in different shades or colors, rather than being a single even color.
C1
TECHNICAL
2
márványozott
C1
foltos
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s skin is mottled
After being outside in the cold, her hands looked mottled and pale.
Miután kint volt a hidegben, a kezei foltosnak és sápadtnak látszottak.
The nurse noted mottled skin on his legs and checked his circulation.
A nővér márványozott bőrt észlelt a lábain, és ellenőrizte a keringését.
His face became mottled as the fever rose.
Learner examples
My skin looked mottled after I got very cold.
A bőröm foltosnak látszott, miután nagyon átfáztam.
Common mistake:
In medical contexts, mottled usually describes patchy color changes, not raised spots or a rash (which may be bumpy).
Meaning
blotchy discoloration of skin
Collocations
mottled skin
|mottled complexion
|mottled appearance
|mottled discoloration
|mottled hands
|mottled legs
|cool, mottled skin
|blue mottling
|skin becomes mottled
|slightly mottled
Synonyms
blotchy (More general and less clinical.)
|
patchy (Emphasizes areas of uneven color without the spotty look.)
Antonyms
clear (Even-looking skin without discoloration.)
|
even-toned (Skin tone is consistent across the area.)
Themes
health
|body
|appearance
Definition
skin with uneven red, blue, or pale patches
Showing uneven patches of color on the skin, often caused by cold, poor circulation, illness, or a reaction to something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mottled
IPA
GB/mˈɑtəld/
US/mˈɑtəld/
Syllables & stress
mottled (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mottled)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mottled
Word family
Core family
mottle
verb
mottling
noun
Expressions
a mottled effect
1/ə mˈɑtəld ɪfˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
irregular mixed-color look
a look with uneven patches of color
Examples
- The brushed metal finish gives a mottled effect in bright light.
- Using two shades of paint can create a mottled effect on the wall.
- The camera sensor produced a mottled effect in the darker areas of the photo.
Learner examples
- This paint makes a mottled effect.
mottled with
1/mˈɑtəld wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
covered in uneven patches
having many small patches of something
Examples
- The stone was mottled with white veins.
- The old paper was mottled with brown stains.
- Her cheeks were mottled with red after the run.
Learner examples
- The floor is mottled with grey and black.