spotty

adjective

spot·​ty ˈspä-tē 

spottier; spottiest

1

: marked with spots : spotted

2

: lacking uniformity especially in quality

the performance was spotty

also : irregularly or sparsely distributed

spotty attendance

spotty data

spottily

ˈspä-tə-lē 

adverb

spottiness

ˈspä-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of spotty

• sporadic
• intermittent
• occasional
• erratic

Examples of spotty in a Sentence

Her work has been spotty.

The service at that restaurant is a little spotty.

students with spotty attendance records

Recent Examples on the Web

Academic explorations of how religious belief might influence attitudes to potential alien life are spotty at best, but that dearth of research could change. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

For an undisputed member of the rock god pantheon, Tony Iommi has had a surprisingly spotty solo career. — Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Later in the week and into the weekend, the chance of rain decreases with spotty showers possible through Halloween weekend. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

The flood threat from Western Texas to southwest Kansas is expected to start winding down Monday, but some spotty flooding is still possible. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spotty

• dotty
• doughty
• draughty
• haughty
• knotty
• naughty
• potty
• scottie
• strati
• zloty
• basmati
• bharati

Kids Definition

spotty

adjective

spot·​ty ˈspät-ē 

spottier; spottiest

1

: having spots

2

: not always the same especially in quality

your work has been spotty

spottily

ˈspät-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

spottiness

ˈspät-ē-nəs 

noun