spotty

adjective

spot·​ty ˈspä-tē How to pronounce spotty (audio)
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 adverb
spottiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, both need an internet connection, which is not required for boaters and is often spotty at sea. Nate Iglehart, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025 Meanwhile, an offense that was supposed to be the team’s strength has been spotty. Noah Trister, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025 Conners' major record is spotty, especially outside of Augusta National. Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025 Calling in from his home not far out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, the cell service is spotty and scratchy at best. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spotty

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spotty was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotty. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

spotty

adjective
spot·​ty ˈspät-ē How to pronounce spotty (audio)
spottier; spottiest
1
: having spots
2
: not always the same especially in quality
your work has been spotty
spottily adverb
spottiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spotty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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