spot

1 of 3

noun

ˈspät 

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

: spotlight

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

spot

2 of 3

verb

spotted; spotting

transitive verb

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

b

: detect, notice

spot a mistake

spotted a deer in the woods

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

5

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?

intransitive verb

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

spottable

ˈspä-tə-bəl 

adjective

spot

3 of 3

adjective

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

Phrases

on the spot

1

: at once : immediately

2

: at the place of action

3

a

: in a responsible or accountable position

b

: in a difficult or trying situation

Synonyms

Noun

• blotch
• dapple
• dot
• eyespot
• fleck
• mottle
• patch
• pip
• point
• speck
• speckle
• splotch

Verb

• blotch
• dapple
• dot
• fleck
• freckle
• marble
• mottle
• pepper
• shoot
• speck
• speckle
• splotch
• sprinkle
• stipple

Examples of spot in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

His rendition showcased vulnerability and vocal control and secured him the final spot in next week’s finale. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 May 2025

This is International Fight Week, and the main event is a spot that is coveted and reserved for the biggest stars in the promotion. —Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Verb

Earlier this month, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was seen in New York City for an American Eagle photoshoot, reports said, and he was spotted in sporty white apparel. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025

Stewart frequently wears Skechers slip-ins, and Kate Hudson was spotted in similar white slip-on sneakers last summer. —Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 15 May 2025

Adjective

The song is catchy and Grande’s purposely bad singing is absolutely spot on. —Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

By the end of 2024, investors could trade options on spot Bitcoin ETFs from BlackRock, Fidelity, and ARK Invest. —Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing spot

• beauty spot
• black spot
• blind spot
• bright spot
• café au lait spot
• flying spot
• G-spot
• have a soft spot
• hit the spot
• hot spot
• Johnny-on-the-spot
• leaf spot
• parking place/space/spot
• re-spot
• ring spot
• soft spot
• spot-check
• spot-on
• spot pass
• spot test
• sweet spot
• trouble spot
• warm spot
• yellow spot

Rhymes for spot

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

Kids Definition

spot

1 of 3 noun

ˈspät 

1

: 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)

5

: spotlight entry 1 sense 2

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 adjective

1

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

ˈspät 

: 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