speck

UK: /ˈspɛk/ US: /spɛk/ ,(spek)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

speck /spɛk/   n. [countable]

1. a small spot.
2. a very small bit or particle, or something appearing small by comparison or by reason of distance:
   They were just specks in the distance at first, but soon we could make out a big flock of geese.
3. a small or tiny amount of something:
   [usually singular* a + ~ + of + uncountable noun] This car hasn't given us a speck of trouble.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

speck (spek),  n. 

1. a small spot differing in color or substance from that of the surface or material upon which it appears or lies:
   Specks of soot on the window sill.
2. a very little bit or particle:
   We haven't a speck of sugar.
3. something appearing small by comparison or by reason of distance:
   By then the town was just a speck.

v.t. 

4. to mark with, or as with, a speck or specks.

• cognate with Dutch spikkel bef. 900; Middle English specke, Old English specca

speck•ed•ness  (spek′id nis), n.  speck′less, adj. 
speck′less•ly, adv. 
speck′less•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

speck / spɛk/ noun

1. a very small mark or spot
2. a small or tiny piece of something

verb

1. (transitive) to mark with specks or spots

Etymology: Old English specca; related to Middle Dutch spekelen to sprinkle

speck / spɛk/ noun

a type of smoked cured ham produced in Italy

Etymology: 20th Century: via Italian from German: bacon