spotted

adjective

spot·​ted ˈspä-təd 

1

: marked with spots

2

: being sullied : tarnished

3

: characterized by the appearance of spots

Synonyms of spotted

• dotted

Examples of spotted in a Sentence

the spotted tablecloth clashed with the stripes on the wallpaper

not surprisingly, the white cow and black bull had a spotted calf

Recent Examples on the Web

Bites can cause rickettsia parkeri, a type of spotted fever. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

The spotted fish thrashes angrily, disturbing the waters so that the pool’s edge laps against the rock. — Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Ohio quarantined for spotted lanternfly. — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2026

Normally, doctors can detect spotted fever Rickettsia lanei by performing specialized laboratory tests on skin or blood samples. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spotted

• northern spotted owl
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• spotted alfalfa aphid
• spotted cucumber beetle
• spotted fever
• spotted hyena
• spotted knapweed
• spotted lanternfly
• spotted owl
• spotted salamander
• spotted sea trout
• spotted turtle
• two-spotted spider mite

Rhymes for spotted

• blotted
• clotted
• dotted
• jotted
• knotted
• plotted
• potted
• rotted
• slotted
• squatted
• swatted
• trotted

Kids Definition

spotted

adjective

spot·​ted

ˈspät-əd

: marked with spots

a spotted cat