splash

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To make liquid fly into drops, especially by throwing it or hitting a surface.

   Grammar: Takes an object: splash water on the floor. It can also be used with across/over.

   Patterns

   • splash something on something
   • splash water around
   • be splashed with something

   The child splashed water across the bathroom tiles.

   A passing car splashed mud over my clean coat.

   She splashed cold water on her face to wake up.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To move, fall, or play in water so that drops scatter noisily.

   Grammar: No direct object; commonly followed by in, into, around, or about.

   Patterns

   • splash in a puddle
   • splash around in the pool
   • splash into the lake

   The dog splashed into the shallow river.

   We splashed around in the pool until sunset.

   Rain splashed against the window all night.

3. 3nouncountable

   The sound, movement, or mark made when liquid hits a surface or someone enters water.

   Grammar: Countable: a splash. It can be literal sound or visible drops.

   Patterns

   • a splash of water
   • with a splash
   • hear a splash

   There was a loud splash when the stone hit the pond.

   A splash of coffee stained the white tablecloth.

   We heard a splash and saw someone swimming.

4. 4nounidiomfigurative

   Strong public attention or impact when something new appears.

   Grammar: Mainly in make or cause a splash; usually singular.

   Patterns

   • make a splash
   • cause a splash
   • make quite a splash

   The young designer made a splash at fashion week.

   Their first album caused a splash online.

   The product launch made quite a splash in the tech press.

Word forms

Common combinations

splash water on something

He accidentally splashed water on the map.

splash around

The children splashed around in the shallow end.

splash of color

A yellow cushion added a splash of color to the gray room.

make a splash

The documentary made a splash at several festivals.

Synonyms and how they differ

spatter

Small scattered drops, often dirty or unwanted; less energetic than splash.

splatter

Larger messy drops, common with mud, paint, or blood.

sprinkle

Gentle small drops or particles, not forceful movement.

plop

Describes the soft sound of something dropping into liquid.

Word family

splashy adjective

Informal: showy or designed to attract attention.

splashing noun

The action or sound of liquid scattering.

Commonly confused: splash or splosh?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “splash”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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