Polka-dotting refers to the act of placing dots or circular shapes on a surface for decoration or identification purposes. There are several synonyms for this term, including stippling, speckling, flecking, spot-welding, dotting, spangling, and patterning. These words are often used interchangeably to describe the process of adding dots or circular shapes to a surface. Stippling refers to the use of small dots or marks to create shading or texture, while speckling and flecking describe the application of small dots or specks to create a random or scattered pattern. Spot-welding is a term used to describe the act of placing dots in a specific order or pattern, while patterning refers to the creation of a repeating design using dots or circular shapes.