dotted

American  

[dot-id] / ˈdɒt ɪd /

adjective

1. marked with a dot or dots.

2. consisting or constructed of dots.

3. having objects scattered or placed in a random manner.

   a landscape dotted with small houses.

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dotted British  

/ ˈdɒtɪd /

adjective

1. having dots, esp having a pattern of dots

2. music

   1. (of a note) increased to one and a half times its original time value See dot 1

   2. (of a musical rhythm) characterized by dotted notes Compare double-dotted See also notes inégales

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undotted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dotted

First recorded in 1765–75; dot ¹ + -ed ³

Example Sentences

My grandmother positions a chair in front of the windows of our sunroom, which look out onto the neighboring hills dotted with bungalows, Tuscan pines and tall palm trees.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Satellite images show the line is now dotted with at least seven new outposts, each protected by sand berms.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

"I had really dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's of the experiment," he said.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

American and Chinese business leaders dotted the hall, tucking into dishes like lobster in tomato soup, crispy beef ribs, Beijing roast duck and tiramisu.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The way grew steeper and the earth darker, a peaty black dotted with gorse.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell