spot
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.
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.
Usually spots . places of entertainment or sightseeing interest: We went to a few spots to dance and see the floor shows.
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.
one of various traditional, geometric drawings of a club, diamond, heart, or spade on a playing card for indicating suit and value.
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 illustration . a small drawing, usually black and white, appearing within or accompanying a text.
Chiefly British Informal.
a small quantity of anything.
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.
Informal. spotlight (def. 1).
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.
to mark or diversify with spots or dots, as of color: We spotted the wall with blue paint.
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.
to determine (a location) precisely on either the ground or a map.
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?
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.
Radio, Television.
pertaining to the point of origin of a local broadcast.
broadcast between announced programs.
made, paid, delivered, etc., at once: a spot sale; spot goods.
Idioms about spot
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,
without delay; at once; instantly.
at the very place in question.
in a difficult or embarrassing position.
in a position of being expected to act or to respond in some way.
Origin of spot
1Other words for spot
Other words from spot
- spotlike, adjective
- spot·ta·ble, adjective
- non·spot·ta·ble, adjective
- re·spot, verb, re·spot·ted, re·spot·ting.
- un·spot·ta·ble, adjective
Words Nearby spot
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use spot in a sentence
Still, some parents wondered what they were sending their kids to and worried not attending could cost their kid a spot on the school’s team.
School Sports Became ‘Clubs’ Amid the Pandemic – Now Two Coaches Are Out | Ashly McGlone | September 17, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoOn Monday it was announced that a peculiar gas called phosphine had been spotted in the clouds above Venus.
We need to go to Venus as soon as possible | Neel Patel | September 16, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewSpotting such marvels requires finding just the right wild spot.
‘Vampire’ parasite challenges the definition of a plant | Susan Milius | September 16, 2020 | Science News For StudentsHurricanes that inch along can actually bring more destruction as they hover over an area, dumping immense amounts of water in one spot.
A nearly unprecedented cluster of tropical storms are brewing in the Atlantic | Sara Chodosh | September 15, 2020 | Popular-ScienceGiven the way the two companies have cared for their people and the wider community, it’s no wonder that both Stryker and Arthrex earned spots on the 2020 list of the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production.
How the Best Workplaces in Manufacturing have risen to the COVID-19 challenge | lbelanger225 | September 10, 2020 | Fortune
Michael Steinbrick, a personal trainer with New York Sports Clubs, says he can always spot a newbie.
In the years to come, Wha became a legendary starting out spot for various soon-to-be rock stars.
And so the “Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria” in this number earns it a spot on my list.
On my short list of the great rock voices of all time, he is battling for the top spot with Mick Jagger.
The Greatest Rock Voice of All Time Belonged to Joe Cocker | Ted Gioia | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhile 15 miles per week has benefits, “the sweet spot is probably around 30 miles of running per week,” Williams argues.
Running 15 Miles a Week Could Slash Alzheimer’s Risk | DailyBurn | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSuddenly, however, he became aware of a small black spot far ahead in the very middle of the unencumbered track.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeThere was a lathe near the spot where David Arden stood, and shavings and splinters under his feet.
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuWe see the whole land, even if but at a distance, instead of being limited merely to the spot where our foot treads.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayA lurid spot on each cheek showed burning red through the bronze of his skin.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonA clock was put above the spot where the fountain stood, in April, 1852, which cost £60.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
British Dictionary definitions for spot
/ (spɒt) /
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, mainly British 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
short for spotlight
(in billiards)
Also called: spot ball the white ball that is distinguished from the plain by a mark or spot
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)
denoting or relating to goods, currencies, or securities available for immediate delivery and payment: spot goods See also spot market, spot price
involving immediate cash payment: spot sales
change one's spots (used mainly in negative constructions) to reform one's character
high spot an outstanding event: the high spot of the holiday was the visit to the winery
knock spots off to outstrip or outdo with ease
on the spot
immediately
at the place in question
in the best possible position to deal with a situation
in an awkward predicament
without moving from the place of one's location, etc
(as modifier): our on-the-spot reporter
soft spot a special sympathetic affection or weakness for a person or thing
tight spot a serious, difficult, or dangerous situation
weak spot
some aspect of a character or situation that is susceptible to criticism
a flaw in a person's knowledge: classics is my weak spot
(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
(tr) US informal to yield (an advantage or concession) to (one's opponent): to spot someone a piece in chess
Origin of spot
1Derived forms of spot
- spottable, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse