spotty

adjective

spot·​ty ˈspä-tē 

spottier; spottiest

1

: marked with spots : spotted

2

: lacking uniformity especially in quality

the performance was spotty

also : irregularly or sparsely distributed

spotty attendance

spotty data

spottily

ˈspä-tə-lē 

adverb

spottiness

ˈspä-tē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of spotty

• sporadic
• intermittent
• occasional
• erratic

Examples of spotty in a Sentence

Her work has been spotty.

The service at that restaurant is a little spotty.

students with spotty attendance records

Recent Examples on the Web

But Robinhood’s attempts to create access for its retail users have been spotty at best. —Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026

Sunday forecast Overcast skies, spotty showers, light north winds, and cooler temperatures will welcome us Sunday morning. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026

This function is also more reliable in remote locations with spotty reception. —Jayme Moye, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026

The chance of rain remains around 20% through Friday with the potential for spotty showers mainly at night and in the morning. —Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spotty

• dotty
• doughty
• draughty
• haughty
• knotty
• naughty
• potty
• scottie
• strati
• zloty
• basmati
• bharati

Kids Definition

spotty

adjective

spot·​ty ˈspät-ē 

spottier; spottiest

1

: having spots

2

: not always the same especially in quality

your work has been spotty

spottily

ˈspät-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

spottiness

ˈspät-ē-nəs 

noun