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 of blot

Noun (1)

• stain
• 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

This will likely go down as the lowest point – the blot on what has been a surprisingly bright summer. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

The only blot on an otherwise solid opening week for the World Cup expansion loyalists. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Verb

Moisten one edge of your cloth with the soapy water, then blot the stain. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

The blotting motion is what makes this work, since dragging the sponge will lift your makeup right off. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

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