1
: a taint on character or reputation : fault
the only spot on the family name
2
a
: a small area visibly different (as in color, finish, or material) from the surrounding area
b(1)
: an area marred or marked (as by dirt)
(2)
: a circumscribed surface lesion of disease (such as measles) or decay
spots of rot
rust spots on a leaf
c
: a conventionalized design used on playing cards to distinguish the suits and indicate values
3
: an object having a specified number of spots or a specified numeral on its surface
4
: a small quantity or amount : bit
5
a
: a particular place, area, or part
b
: a small extent of space
6
plural usually spot
: a small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast with a black spot behind the opercula
7
a
: a particular position (as in an organization or a hierarchy)
b
: a place or appearance on an entertainment program
8
9
: a position usually of difficulty or embarrassment
10
: a brief announcement or advertisement broadcast between scheduled radio or television programs
11
: a brief segment or report on a broadcast especially of news
spotted; spotting
1
: to stain the character or reputation of : disgrace
2
: to mark in or with a spot : stain
The snow was spotted with blood.
His pants were spotted with mud.
3
: to locate or identify by a spot
4
a
: to single out : identify
especially
: to note as a known criminal or a suspicious person
c(1)
: to locate accurately
spot an enemy position
(2)
: to cause to strike accurately
spot the battery's fire
d
: to watch or assist (someone) during athletic competition or exercise (as for gymnastics or weight lifting) especially to prevent injury
She's the darling of the weight room wherever she works out, spotting guys twice her size.—
Rick Reilly
Rick Reilly5
a
: to lie at intervals in or over : stud
small boats spotting the harbor
b
: to place at intervals or in a desired spot
spot field telephones
c
: to fix in or as if in the beam of a spotlight
d
: to schedule in a particular spot or at a particular time
spotted the main act at 9 p.m.
e
football
: to put (the football) at the appropriate place on the field in preparation for the next play
The official spotted the ball at the 10-yard line.
6
: to remove a spot from
7
a
: to give a specified advantage to (an opponent) : to allow as a handicap (see handicap entry 1 sense 1b)
She spotted me five points and still beat me easily.
spot him two strokes a hole in golf
b
informal
: to lend (someone) a usually small amount of money
Can you spot me five bucks?
1
: to become stained or discolored in spots
Fungus caused the leaves to spot.
2
: to cause a spot
a detergent that always spots
3
: to act as a spotter
especially
: to locate targets
4
: to experience abnormal and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from the uterus
1
a
: being, originating, or done on the spot or in or for a particular spot
spot coverage of the news
b
: available for immediate delivery after sale
spot commodities
c(1)
: paid out upon delivery
spot cash
(2)
: involving immediate cash payment
a spot transaction
d(1)
: broadcast between scheduled programs
spot announcements
(2)
: originating in a local station for a national advertiser
e
: performing occasionally when needed
a spot starter
2
: made at random or restricted to a few places or instances
a spot check
also
: selected at random or as a sample
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Noun
The wood still has some rough spots.
The chair's original paint is still visible in spots.
He fell through a weak spot in the ice.
The tablecloth had a couple of spots.
There were mud spots on the back of his pants.
rust spots on the metal
I noticed some red spots on my arms.
spots of rot on the leaf
a teenager with spots on his face
This looks like a good spot for a picnic.
Verb
She spotted a deer in the woods.
The band's lead singer was recently spotted with a well-known actress.
They spotted us five points, and we still lost.
I'm a little short of cash. Can you spot me five bucks?
The official spotted the ball at the 10-yard line.
Adjective
the difference between futures and spot commodities
the spot price of wheat
See More
Recent Examples on the WebAmanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 1 June 2023
These are the best Disneyland restaurants and snack spots.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2023
The spot features Maizy Gordon and the Black Girls Surf junior team chasing their dreams in the ocean like the Disney princess.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023
Brad Joyal The sectional title earns Feehan a spot in the state championship June 5 at The Longmeadow Country Club.
—Eamonn Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2023
Taylor Swift holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated June 3), spending a record-extending 67th week as the top musical act in the U.S. Related Swift maintains her top spot thanks, largely, to nine albums on the Billboard 200, all of which rank in the chart’s top 40.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 31 May 2023
Sam finally gets his spot on the Nigerian national team.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 May 2023
Temperatures should continue their climb, toward highs in the mid-80s in most spots.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 31 May 2023
The two centibillionaires, a term used to refer to people with fortunes of more than $100 billion, have been neck-and-neck for the top spot for months.
—Michelle Toh, CNN, 31 May 2023
Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 17 May 2023
Miranda is not a WGA member but was spotted handing out donuts to WGA members on the picket lines in New York last week.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023
The flare was spotted by two systems that survey the night sky looking for objects with rapid shifts in brightness: California’s Zwicky Transient Facility first detected it in 2020, and then it was found by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Hawaii.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023
The 1975 frontman was spotted attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour again — this time spending some quality time with her father Scott in a VIP area of the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023
The romance confirmation comes three months after rumors began swirling around the couple when they were spotted out and getting cozy during Paris Fashion Week in February.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 May 2023
The truck was then spotted on a Bel Air road, and when the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Michael D. Stevens II, refused to pull over, a multi-agency pursuit ensued, the sheriff's office said, with the suspect making his way south onto Interstate-95.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 13 May 2023
Swift and Healy are officially spotted out together getting cozy at Casa Cipriani in New York City (and Swift looks lovely in a breezy yellow sundress from DÔEN).
—Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 May 2023
After successfully going toe-to-toe with Cocaine Bear, Elizabeth Banks is ready to befriend some new furry friends — spotted dogs, rainbow teddy bears, and calico kittens, oh my!
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 11 May 2023
Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2023
Otto Desćinski — better known as Otto Desć — is a completely fictional filmmaker that was made up by Ryan Reynolds' creative agency Maximum Effort as part of a multi-spot ad campaign for software company Autodesk.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2023
On the farm: DH isn’t exactly a spot minor leaguers work at.
—Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2022
Another spot brand-new to Boston this year, Next Door Speakeasy opened in March and looks like a vintage locksmith shop to casual passersby.
—Joy Ashford, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Dec. 2022
While flows to China and India remain stable, two key Indian refiners have halted spot purchases of Russian crude that would arrive after E.U. sanctions, which will deprive vessels of insurance and other services, come into force on Dec. 5.
—Julian Lee, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Oct. 2022
Three private rooms are outfitted with karaoke making this spot one-stop shopping for a fun night on the town.
—William Li, Town & Country, 10 Oct. 2022
Some of Buchwald’s satires were so spot on they were mistaken for truth.
—Eric Weiner, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022
In retrospect, some spot minor flaws that now loom larger: Blanca’s father brought home scores of women and barked at her to mind her business.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 16 June 2022
See More
Noun
The magazine raised a toast to Church in Old Goucher as well as to Ash Bar and Bloom’s, a pair of bars inside the Hotel Ulysses, as part of its annual exploration of the country’s top spots to grab a stiff drink.
—Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 1 June 2023
These are the best Disneyland restaurants and snack spots.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2023
The spot features Maizy Gordon and the Black Girls Surf junior team chasing their dreams in the ocean like the Disney princess.
—Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 31 May 2023
Brad Joyal The sectional title earns Feehan a spot in the state championship June 5 at The Longmeadow Country Club.
—Eamonn Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2023
Taylor Swift holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated June 3), spending a record-extending 67th week as the top musical act in the U.S. Related Swift maintains her top spot thanks, largely, to nine albums on the Billboard 200, all of which rank in the chart’s top 40.
—Xander Zellner, Billboard, 31 May 2023
Sam finally gets his spot on the Nigerian national team.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 May 2023
Temperatures should continue their climb, toward highs in the mid-80s in most spots.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 31 May 2023
The two centibillionaires, a term used to refer to people with fortunes of more than $100 billion, have been neck-and-neck for the top spot for months.
—Michelle Toh, CNN, 31 May 2023
Verb
May 16: Taylor and Matty spotted leaving a recording studio.
—Olivia Evans, Women's Health, 17 May 2023
Miranda is not a WGA member but was spotted handing out donuts to WGA members on the picket lines in New York last week.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023
The flare was spotted by two systems that survey the night sky looking for objects with rapid shifts in brightness: California’s Zwicky Transient Facility first detected it in 2020, and then it was found by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System in Hawaii.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023
The 1975 frontman was spotted attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour again — this time spending some quality time with her father Scott in a VIP area of the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023
The romance confirmation comes three months after rumors began swirling around the couple when they were spotted out and getting cozy during Paris Fashion Week in February.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 May 2023
The truck was then spotted on a Bel Air road, and when the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Michael D. Stevens II, refused to pull over, a multi-agency pursuit ensued, the sheriff's office said, with the suspect making his way south onto Interstate-95.
—Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 13 May 2023
Swift and Healy are officially spotted out together getting cozy at Casa Cipriani in New York City (and Swift looks lovely in a breezy yellow sundress from DÔEN).
—Sabrina Park, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 May 2023
After successfully going toe-to-toe with Cocaine Bear, Elizabeth Banks is ready to befriend some new furry friends — spotted dogs, rainbow teddy bears, and calico kittens, oh my!
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 11 May 2023
Adjective
Learn about ancient history and snack on gelato in Rome, spot favorite animals and learn about conservation on an African safari, or go to the extremes of the Earth on a family-friendly Antarctica cruise.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 14 Mar. 2023
Otto Desćinski — better known as Otto Desć — is a completely fictional filmmaker that was made up by Ryan Reynolds' creative agency Maximum Effort as part of a multi-spot ad campaign for software company Autodesk.
—Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2023
On the farm: DH isn’t exactly a spot minor leaguers work at.
—Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2022
Another spot brand-new to Boston this year, Next Door Speakeasy opened in March and looks like a vintage locksmith shop to casual passersby.
—Joy Ashford, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Dec. 2022
While flows to China and India remain stable, two key Indian refiners have halted spot purchases of Russian crude that would arrive after E.U. sanctions, which will deprive vessels of insurance and other services, come into force on Dec. 5.
—Julian Lee, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Oct. 2022
Three private rooms are outfitted with karaoke making this spot one-stop shopping for a fun night on the town.
—William Li, Town & Country, 10 Oct. 2022
Some of Buchwald’s satires were so spot on they were mistaken for truth.
—Eric Weiner, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022
In retrospect, some spot minor flaws that now loom larger: Blanca’s father brought home scores of women and barked at her to mind her business.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 16 June 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch spotte stain, speck, Old Norse spotti small piece
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b(2)
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Adjective
1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1b
Time Traveler
The first known use of spot was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing spot
Dictionary Entries Near spot
Cite this Entry
“Spot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spot. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
spot
1 of 3 noun1
: something bad that others know about one : fault
2
a
: a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part
b
: an area marred or marked (as by dirt)
c
: a small diseased or decayed area on the body surface of a plant or animal
spots of rot on a leaf
spots of chicken pox
3
a
: a small quantity or amount
b
: a particular place
a good spot for a picnic
a sore spot
4
: a particular position (as in an organization or on a program)
6
: a position usually of difficulty or embarrassment
put someone in a spot
7
: a short broadcast announcement or advertisement
spot
2 of 3 verb
spotted; spotting
1
: to mark or become marked with or as if with spots
2
: to single out : identify
spot a friend in a crowd
spot
3 of 3 adjective1
a
: done on the spot
spot coverage of the news
b
: paid upon delivery
spot cash
c
: involving immediate cash payment
the spot market for oil
d
: broadcast between scheduled programs
spot announcements
2
: made from time to time or in a few places or instances
a spot check
Medical Definition
spot
1 of 2 noun
: a circumscribed mark or area: as
a
: a circumscribed surface lesion of disease (as measles)
b
: a circumscribed abnormality in an organ seen by means of X-rays or an instrument
X-rays revealed a spot on the lung
spot
2 of 2 intransitive verb
spotted; spotting
: to experience abnormal and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from the uterus
More from Merriam-Webster on spot
Nglish: Translation of spot for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of spot for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spot
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