View synonyms for spot

spot

[ spot ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a rounded mark or stain made by foreign matter, as mud, blood, paint, ink, etc.; a blot or speck.
something that mars one's character or reputation; blemish; flaw.
Synonyms: stigma, taint
a small blemish, mole, or lesion on the skin or other surface.
a small, circumscribed mark caused by disease, allergic reaction, decay, etc.
a comparatively small, usually roundish, part of a surface differing from the rest in color, texture, character, etc.:
a bald spot.
a place or locality:
A monument marks the spot where Washington slept.
Synonyms: situation, site, locale
Usually spots. places of entertainment or sightseeing interest:
We went to a few spots to dance and see the floor shows.
spot announcement.
a specific position in a sequence or hierarchy:
The choral group has the second spot on the program, right after the dancers. He moved up from second spot to become president of the firm.
Cards.
1. one of various traditional, geometric drawings of a club, diamond, heart, or spade on a playing card for indicating suit and value.
2. any playing card from a two through a ten:
  He drew a jack, a queen, and a three spot.
a pip, as on dice or dominoes.
Slang. a piece of paper money, almost always indicated as a five- or ten-dollar bill:
Can you loan me a five spot until payday?
Also called spot illustration. a small drawing, usually black and white, appearing within or accompanying a text.
Chiefly British Informal.
1. a small quantity of anything.
2. a drink:
  a spot of tea.
a small croaker, Leiostomus xanthurus, of the eastern coast of the U.S., used as a food fish.
spots, Informal. commodities, as grain, wool, and soybeans, sold for immediate delivery.
spot price.
Informal. spotlight ( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

, spot·ted, spot·ting.

to stain or mark with spots:
The grease spotted my dress.
to remove a spot or spots from (clothing), especially before dry cleaning.
to sully; blemish.
Synonyms: tarnish, soil, stigmatize, taint, stain
to mark or diversify with spots or dots, as of color:
We spotted the wall with blue paint.
Synonyms: speckle
to detect or recognize; locate or identify by seeing:
to spot a hiding child.
to place or position on a particular place:
to spot a billiard ball.
to stop (a railroad car) at the exact place required.
to scatter in various places:
to spot chairs here and there in the room.
Informal. spotlight ( def 5 ).
Military.
1. to determine (a location) precisely on either the ground or a map.
2. to observe (the results of gunfire at or near a target) for the purpose of correcting aim.
Photography. to remove spots from (a negative or print) by covering with opaque color.
Sports. to give or grant a certain margin or advantage to (an opponent):
He spotted the tyro 12 points a game. The champion won, although spotting the challenger twenty pounds.
(in gymnastics) to watch or assist (a performer) in order to prevent injury.
Slang. to lend:
Can you spot me twenty for tonight's game?

verb (used without object)

, spot·ted, spot·ting.

to make a spot; cause a stain:
Ink spots badly.
to become spotted, as some fabrics when spattered with water.
Military. to serve or act as a spotter.

adjective

Radio, Television.
1. pertaining to the point of origin of a local broadcast.
2. broadcast between announced programs.
made, paid, delivered, etc., at once:
a spot sale; spot goods.

spot

/ spɒt /

noun

a small mark on a surface, such as a circular patch or stain, differing in colour or texture from its surroundings
a geographical area that is restricted in extent
a beauty spot
a location
this is the exact spot on which he died
a blemish of the skin, esp a pimple or one occurring through some disease
a blemish on the character of a person; moral flaw
informal.
a place of entertainment
we hit all the night spots
informal.
a small quantity or amount
a spot of lunch
informal.
an awkward situation
that puts me in a bit of a spot
a short period between regular television or radio programmes that is used for advertising
a position or length of time in a show assigned to a specific performer
See spotlight
short for spotlight
in billiards
1. Also calledspot ball the white ball that is distinguished from the plain by a mark or spot
2. the player using this ball
billiards snooker one of several small black dots on a table that mark where a ball is to be placed
modifier
1. denoting or relating to goods, currencies, or securities available for immediate delivery and payment See also spot market spot price
  spot goods
2. involving immediate cash payment
  spot sales
change one's spots
change one's spots used mainly in negative constructions to reform one's character
high spot
high spot an outstanding event
the high spot of the holiday was the visit to the winery
knock spots off
knock spots off to outstrip or outdo with ease
on the spot
on the spot
1. immediately
2. at the place in question
3. in the best possible position to deal with a situation
4. in an awkward predicament
5. without moving from the place of one's location, etc
6. ( as modifier )
  our on-the-spot reporter
soft spot
soft spot a special sympathetic affection or weakness for a person or thing
tight spot
tight spot a serious, difficult, or dangerous situation
weak spot
weak spot
1. some aspect of a character or situation that is susceptible to criticism
2. a flaw in a person's knowledge
  classics is my weak spot

verb

tr to observe or perceive suddenly, esp under difficult circumstances; discern
to put stains or spots upon (something)
intr (of some fabrics) to be susceptible to spotting by or as if by water
silk spots easily
tr to place here and there
they spotted observers along the border
to look out for and note (trains, talent, etc)
intr to rain slightly; spit
tr billiards to place (a ball) on one of the spots
military to adjust fire in order to correct deviations from (the target) by observation
informal.
tr to yield (an advantage or concession) to (one's opponent)
to spot someone a piece in chess

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Derived Forms

ˈspottable, adjective

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Other Words From

spotlike adjective
spotta·ble adjective
non·spotta·ble adjective
re·spot verb respotted respotting
un·spotta·ble adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of spot¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; (for the noun) Middle English spotte; cognate with Middle Dutch, Low German spot “speck,” Old Norse spotti “bit”; (for the verb) late Middle English spotten “to stain, mark,” derivative of the noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of spot¹

C12 (in the sense: moral blemish): of German origin; compare Middle Dutch spotte, Old Norse spotti

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

hit the high spots, Informal. to deal with or include only the major points of interest:
With but a limited amount of vacation time, he concentrated on hitting the high spots of Europe.
hit the spot, Informal. to satisfy a want or need, as to quench thirst:
Iced tea hits the spot during the hot summer months.
in a (bad) spot, in an uncomfortable or dangerous predicament:
The tourists found themselves in a bad spot after they lost their money in Las Vegas.
knock spots off, British Slang. to outdo easily; beat.
on the spot,
1. without delay; at once; instantly.
2. at the very place in question.
3. in a difficult or embarrassing position.
4. in a position of being expected to act or to respond in some way.

More idioms and phrases containing spot

see blind spot ; hit the high spots ; hit the spot ; in a bind (tight spot) ; in a fix (spot) ; Johnny-on-the-spot ; knock the socks (spots) off ; leopard cannot change its spots ; on the spot ; rooted to the spot ; soft spot ; x marks the spot .

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Example Sentences

Michael Steinbrick, a personal trainer with New York Sports Clubs, says he can always spot a newbie.

From The Daily Beast

In the years to come, Wha became a legendary starting out spot for various soon-to-be rock stars.

From The Daily Beast

And so the “Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria” in this number earns it a spot on my list.

From The Daily Beast

On my short list of the great rock voices of all time, he is battling for the top spot with Mick Jagger.

From The Daily Beast

While 15 miles per week has benefits, “the sweet spot is probably around 30 miles of running per week,” Williams argues.

From The Daily Beast

Suddenly, however, he became aware of a small black spot far ahead in the very middle of the unencumbered track.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a lathe near the spot where David Arden stood, and shavings and splinters under his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

We see the whole land, even if but at a distance, instead of being limited merely to the spot where our foot treads.

From Project Gutenberg

A lurid spot on each cheek showed burning red through the bronze of his skin.

From Project Gutenberg

A clock was put above the spot where the fountain stood, in April, 1852, which cost £60.

From Project Gutenberg

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

sporule spot announcement

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