Speck
/spɛk/
Definitions
2 meaningsA small spot or particle of something.
/spɛk/
A small spot or particle
There was a speck of mud on his shoe.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tiny, tiny bit of something – like a piece of dust or a small mark on a page. That's a speck!
👶 For kids: A tiny little dot, like a piece of dirt!
More Examples
A speck of paint landed on the canvas.
She wiped a speck of food from her baby's face.
How It's Used
"A speck of dust landed on her nose."
"The telescope revealed a faint speck of light in the distance."
To mark or cover with small spots or specks.
/spɛk/
To mark with small spots or dots
The bird's eggs were speckled with brown and grey.
💡 Simply: Imagine adding lots of little dots to something, like when you paint something with tiny splatters. To 'speck' something is to cover it with little marks!
👶 For kids: To put little dots or spots on something.
More Examples
The painter speckled the wall with different colors.
Sunlight speckled the forest floor.
How It's Used
"The artist speckled the canvas with various colors."
"The bird's feathers were speckled with brown."
From Middle English *spekke*, from Old English *specca* ('spot, speck'). Related to Dutch *spek* and German *Speck* (both meaning 'speck').
The word 'speck' has been used since Old English times to denote small marks or spots.
Memory tip
Think of a small, nearly invisible dot.
Word Origin
"small spot or particle"