blot

[ blot ]

/ blɒt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: blot / blotted on Thesaurus.com

noun

a spot or stain, especially of ink on paper.

a blemish on a person's character or reputation: He had been haunted by a blot on his past.

Archaic. an erasure or obliteration, as in a writing.

verb (used with object), blot·ted, blot·ting.

to spot, stain, soil, or the like.

to darken; make dim; obscure or eclipse (usually followed by out): We watched as the moon blotted out the sun.

to dry with absorbent paper or the like: to blot the wet pane.

to remove with absorbent paper or the like.

verb (used without object), blot·ted, blot·ting.

to make a blot; spread ink, dye, etc., in a stain: The more slowly I write, the more this pen blots.

to become blotted or stained: This paper blots too easily.

Chemistry. to transfer an array of separated components of a mixture to a chemically treated paper for analysis.Compare gel (def. 4), gel electrophoresis.

Verb Phrases

blot out,

to make indistinguishable; obliterate: to blot out a name from the record.
to wipe out completely; destroy: Whole cities were blotted out by bombs.

OTHER WORDS FOR blot

1 blotch, ink stain.

2 stain, taint, dishonor, disgrace, spot.

4 sully, disfigure.

5 obliterate, efface, erase, expunge.

7 absorb.

See synonyms for blot on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of blot

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun blot(te); orign uncertain; perhaps akin to Old Norse blettr “blot, spot, stain”; the verb is derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM blot

blotless, adjectiveblot·ting·ly, adverbblotty, adjectiveun·blot·ted, adjective

Other definitions for blot (2 of 2)

blot²

[ blot ]

/ blɒt /

noun

Backgammon. an exposed piece liable to be taken or forfeited.

Archaic. an exposed or weak point, as in an argument or course of action.

Origin of blot

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; perhaps from Low German blat, akin to bloot “bare, exposed, unprotected”; possibly cognate with Dutch bloot, German bloss bare

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use blot in a sentence

On official maps, the western half of the city was blotted out—figuratively erased from the world of the living.
Scaling the Berlin Wall|Michael R. Meyer|October 31, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Powell is someone who truly "blotted his copybook," as the Brits used to say.
Powell's Lost Cause|W. Patrick Lang|October 20, 2008|DAILY BEAST
All bribery, and injustice shall be blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
The smiling face of man was blotted out; gratitude, virtue, were annihilated; and life had no longer an object!
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

Then we blotted out the fire, and, stretching ourselves on the ground, had recourse to the solace of tobacco.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
I have blotted out thy iniquities as a cloud, and thy sins as a mist: return to me, for I have redeemed thee.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
The gray desert sparkled and gleamed in front of the roadster, but behind it was blotted out by the dust of that mad flight.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews

British Dictionary definitions for blot (1 of 2)

blot¹

/ (blɒt) /

noun

a stain or spot of ink, paint, dirt, etc

something that spoils or detracts from the beauty or worth of something

a blemish or stain on one's character or reputation

verb blots, blotting or blotted

(of ink, dye, etc) to form spots or blobs on (a material) or (of a person) to cause such spots or blobs to form on (a material)

blot one's copybook informal to spoil one's reputation by making a mistake, offending against social customs, etc

(intr) to stain or become stained or spotted

(tr) to cause a blemish in or on; disgrace

to soak up (excess ink, etc) by using blotting paper or some other absorbent material

(of blotting paper or some other absorbent material) to absorb (excess ink, etc)

(tr often foll by out)

to darken or hide completely; obscure; obliterate
to destroy; annihilate

Word Origin for blot

C14: probably of Germanic origin; compare Middle Dutch bluyster blister

British Dictionary definitions for blot (2 of 2)

blot²

/ (blɒt) /

noun

backgammon a man exposed by being placed alone on a point and therefore able to be taken by the other player

archaic a weak spot

Word Origin for blot

C16: perhaps from Middle Dutch bloot poor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

blot

OTHER WORDS FOR blot

Origin of blot

OTHER WORDS FROM blot

Other definitions for blot (2 of 2)

Origin of blot

Words related to blot

How to use blot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for blot (1 of 2)

Word Origin for blot

British Dictionary definitions for blot (2 of 2)

Word Origin for blot