dapple

So when the rain comes, it doesn't just dapple us with light sprinkles, it drops the heavier load of moisture that has been accumulating for a longer time.

From Salon ● Mar. 22, 2023

Gleaming spots caused by methane ice clouds in the planet's atmosphere dapple its lower half.

From Scientific American ● Dec. 20, 2022

In a majority-white area of Silver Lake — where median household income is more than $98,000 a year and mature trees dapple the hilly streets with shade — the surface temperature was 96.4 degrees.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2021

Serendipity was “a dapple grey pony mare who unexpectedly came into our lives,” reads the room bio.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 29, 2015

He remembered the cheers of the Sons of the Six all around him, whooping and tossing their spears high as the first hints of true, unfiltered sunlight began to dapple the ground before them.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

The subtlest animation looks the best, especially when sunlight dapples upon fur or felines flex their claws to assert power.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2024

I like the little dapples of light, too.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 29, 2023

Pink natural light dapples a river in one composition, while reflections of house lamps streak a dark lake in another.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 17, 2021

It sets apart the mansion, reveals its layered additions, dapples the Frick in shade.

From New York Times ● Jul. 30, 2014

The sun shone down through the rustling of ferns and stunted cypress of the island in dapples of light and shadow.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

Warm lyrical melodies glide across orchestration dappled with glistening chimes, or on engines of snare drums and heroic brass.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2026

It wasn’t all that long ago that restaurants and bars around the country were dappled in the glow of cigarettes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

The special habitat's twisted branches, dappled light and moss-covered understorey once covered much of the country, but is now only found in isolated areas including the Woodland Trust's Coed Felenrhyd near Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.

From BBC ● May 18, 2025

If a political debate is your idea of a good time — rather than, say, sitting on the sugary sands of some beach watching a dappled sunset play on the water, more power to you!

From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2024

Towers of dappled foxglove bells blossomed wherever she walked.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

When you assemble the dessert into bowls and start dappling each island with caramel and toasted sliced almonds, your friends will begin to hover.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

"Wouldn't it be useful for English speakers to have a specific word for sunlight dappling through leaves... Or a word for the action of sitting outside enjoying a beer?"

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2025

I stepped through the door, surveying the late-summer light dappling the antique wood floors.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2024

Sports run through Pittsburgh the way its rivers do, dappling the city’s culture with hints of black and gold.

From New York Times ● Mar. 22, 2024

He stood there with the sunshine dappling him over and sometimes his hooves struck a spark from the stones as he pawed the ground.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith