blot

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈblät 

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• brand
• onus
• slur
• smirch
• smudge
• spot
• stain
• stigma
• taint

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

Noun

Using a slotted spoon, transfer poached eggs to a paper-towel lined plate; blot dry. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 June 2025

Vietnam is a wound for many Americans: a bloody quagmire, a blot on our conscience, a war that claimed more than 58,000 American lives and shattered faith at home in the good intentions of the government. —Leo Tran, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025

Verb

To get the best results, after shampooing and conditioning Luis suggests blotting away excess moisture with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber towel. —Holly Carter, People.com, 9 June 2025

If the stain is fresh, the Pozniaks recommend using a damp towel to gently blot the area. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 3 June 2025

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

Phrases Containing blot

• blot one's copybook
• blot out
• ink blot
• Southern blot
• Western blot

Rhymes for blot

• aught
• baht
• bott
• bought
• brought
• caught
• clot
• cot
• cott
• dot
• fought
• fraught

Kids Definition

blot

1 of 2 noun

ˈblät 

1

: spot entry 1 sense 2a, b, stain

2

: dishonor entry 1 sense 1

blot

2 of 2 verb

blotted; blotting

1

: spot entry 2 sense 1, stain

2

: obscure entry 2, dim

3

: disgrace entry 1

4

: to dry with something absorbent

5

: to mark or become marked with a blot

Medical Definition

blot

noun

ˈblät 

: 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