divot

noun

div·​ot ˈdi-vət 

plural divots

1

Scotland : a square of turf or sod

2

: a loose piece of turf (such as one dug from a golf fairway in making a shot)

The caddies, I was solemnly assured, never replace a divot; they just sprinkle grass seed from a pouch they carry. Well, this is a myth, for I repeatedly saw caddies replace divots in the course of the tournament, with the care of tile-setters.

—John Updike

3

: a small dent : a small depression or hollow

… soft pastries of yeasted dough with a divot in the center, traditionally filled with sweetened cheese or fruit …

—John T. Edge

Examples of divot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With plenty of surface area for your alarm clock and current read, this nightstand features a round light bulb that rests in a slight divot. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2026

If your mop doesn't have divots, don't fret. —Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026

Healthy nails don't usually have green spots, dark lines, cracks, divots or excessive ridges, says Lipner. —Andee Tagle, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026

To make matters worse, the ball came to rest in a divot. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier Scots devat, from Middle English (Scots) duvat

First Known Use

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for divot

• civet
• pivot
• privet
• rivet