witruisje

Witruisje is a Dutch term that literally means “little white noise” or “little white speck.” The word combines wit (white) and ruis (noise or disturbance) with the diminutive suffix -je, making it a colloquial expression rather than a formal technical term. As a result, witruisje has multiple context-dependent meanings and is used primarily in everyday language.

In photography, printing and image inspection, witruisje commonly refers to small white spots or specks that appear on a picture or print. These can be caused by dust on a sensor or lens, imperfections in paper, or debris in the printing process. Such specks are typically considered defects and are often removed during post-processing or through cleaning and quality control steps.

Beyond imagery, witruisje can describe tiny white markings or specks in textiles, ceramics, or other materials. In these contexts the term emphasizes a minor, often undesirable, irregularity rather than a deliberate design element.

Because witruisje is informal and highly context-specific, it does not have a single, universal definition within official terminology. Its exact meaning depends on the field and the speaker’s intent, ranging from a literal small white spot to a metaphorical reference to minor imperfections.

See also: dust speck, white spot, speck.