splat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Onomatopoeic. Common in spoken and narrative contexts (fiction, comics, gaming). Technical in computing.
Quick answer
What does “splat” mean?
a single, often messy, wet impact sound or the visual result of such an impact, suggesting something soft and wet hitting a surface and flattening/spreading.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a single, often messy, wet impact sound or the visual result of such an impact, suggesting something soft and wet hitting a surface and flattening/spreading.
Can refer to a graphical symbol (*) used in computing; a sudden, often total failure or collapse; in animation/comics, the shaped impact mark left by a falling character.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. The computing symbol is universally called an asterisk, but 'splat' is recognized jargon in both.
Connotations
Equally informal and vivid in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US media (cartoons, gaming), but negligible difference.
Grammar
How to Use “splat” in a Sentence
[Subject] + splat + [against/on/to the ground, etc.]There was a splat.[Verb] with a splat.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “splat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The overripe fig splatted unpleasantly on the patio stones.
- He watched the paintball splat against the target.
American English
- The bug splatted on our windshield somewhere in Nebraska.
- Her cupcake fell and splatted icing all over the linoleum.
adverb
British English
- It fell splat into the middle of the puddle.
- The cake landed splat on the floor.
American English
- He jumped and landed splat on the gym mat.
- The water balloon hit me splat in the face.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorically for a project failing dramatically.
Academic
Virtually never, except in descriptive linguistics (onomatopoeia).
Everyday
Common for describing sounds of dropped fruit, bugs hitting windshields, playful falls.
Technical
Computing jargon for the asterisk (*) key, especially in old command-line contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “splat”
- Using it for a clean, hard sound (like a crack). Overusing in formal writing. Confusing noun/verb forms (verb is rare but exists: 'The tomato splatted on the floor').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a real word classified as onomatopoeia. It is recognized in dictionaries as both a noun (the sound/effect) and a verb (to make such a sound).
Generally no, unless it's a creative writing piece, a linguistic analysis of onomatopoeia, or you are directly quoting speech. It is highly informal.
'Splat' focuses on the single moment of impact and its sound/shape. 'Splatter' emphasizes the subsequent scattering of droplets or pieces in multiple directions.
Not a perfect one. 'Impact' is neutral but loses the sonic and messy qualities. 'A wet impact' or 'a dull, spreading thud' might be descriptive alternatives in formal contexts.
a single, often messy, wet impact sound or the visual result of such an impact, suggesting something soft and wet hitting a surface and flattening/spreading.
Splat: in British English it is pronounced /splæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /splæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hit the wall/go splat (fail suddenly)”
- “splat out (to fail or be defeated resoundingly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SPLAT sounds like what it means: the 'SPL' of splash plus the 'AT' of a flat impact.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAILURE IS A MESSY IMPACT (The startup hit the market and went splat).
Practice
Quiz
In computing jargon, 'splat' historically refers to which symbol?