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

If your credit is spotty, Upstart considers factors beyond your credit, including your education history and work experience. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Print editions overseas also reach service members in remote locations where internet access is spotty and unreliable. — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Overcrowded apartment buildings were plagued by vermin, spotty electricity and poor plumbing — but the biggest problem was the gang. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Bennett has been inconsistent, with some really nice performances — like his game against the Saints, with two rushing scores and high efficiency — as well as several turnovers and a deep ball that has been spotty at best. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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