blot

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a soiling or disfiguring mark : spot
2
: a mark of reproach : moral flaw
3
: a usually nitrocellulose or nylon sheet that contains spots of immobilized macromolecules (as of DNA, RNA, or protein) or their fragments and is used to identify specific components of the spots by applying a molecular probe (such as a complementary nucleic acid or a radiolabeled antibody) compare southern blot, western blot

blot

2 of 3

verb

blotted; blotting

transitive verb

1
: to spot, stain, or spatter with a discoloring substance
2
obsolete : mar
especially : to stain with infamy
3
a
: to dry (something, such as writing) with an absorbing agent
hastily blotted her letter
b
: to remove with absorbing material
blotting up spilled water

intransitive verb

1
: to make a blot
2
: to become marked with a blot

blot

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a lone backgammon man exposed to capture
2
archaic : a weak or exposed point

Examples of blot in a Sentence

Noun (1) the bribery scandal was a blot on his reputation Verb Don't rub the wine stain. Blot it dry with a paper towel. Blot your lipstick with a tissue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Pretreat any stains with a stain remover of choice and blot with a dry white cloth to remove as much stain prior to washing. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025 Add a bit more color to the corners of the lips, then use your fingers to blot and blur the edges, as needed. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025
Verb
For liquid spills: Use paper towels to blot up as much of the liquid spill as possible. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2025 Canadian culture then was concerned with appearances and not blotting your copy book, as the expression went. Jane Smiley june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for blot

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English

Noun (2)

perhaps from Dutch bloot naked, exposed, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle High German bloz bare

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blot was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Blot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blot. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

blot

2 of 2 verb
blotted; blotting
1
2
3
4
: to dry with something absorbent
5
: to mark or become marked with a blot

Medical Definition

blot

noun
: a nitrocellulose sheet that contains spots of immobilized macromolecules (as of DNA, RNA, or protein) or their fragments and that is used to identify specific components of the spots by applying a suitable molecular probe (as a complementary nucleic acid or a radiolabeled antibody) see northern blot, southern blot, western blot
blot transitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on blot

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