What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mottled
Example
The mottled leaves of the plant made it stand out in the garden. [mottled: adjective]
Example
The bird had a mottled brown and white plumage. [mottled: adjective]
variegated
Example
The variegated rug added a pop of color to the room. [variegated: adjective]
Example
The butterfly had a variegated pattern of orange, black, and white on its wings. [variegated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Variegated is more commonly used than mottled in everyday language. Variegated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mottled is less common and often used in specific contexts like describing the appearance of animals or plants.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mottled and variegated?
Both mottled and variegated are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
