What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fleck
Example
There was a fleck of paint on his shirt. [fleck: noun]
Example
The artist added flecks of gold to the painting for a touch of elegance. [flecks: plural noun]
speck
Example
There was a speck of dust on the table. [speck: noun]
Example
The cake was covered in specks of chocolate chips. [specks: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Speck is more commonly used than fleck in everyday language. Speck is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fleck is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fleck and speck?
Both fleck and speck are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation or writing.