spotlight

9 synonyms for spotlight, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A powerful, directed beam of light used to illuminate a specific person or area, especially on a stage.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

focus spot

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

highlight showcase glare foreground

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

limelight floodlight searchlight

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A powerful, directed beam of light used to illuminate a specific person or area, especially on a stage.

“The singer stepped into the spotlight as the crowd cheered.”

limelight floodlight searchlight highlight showcase focus glare spot

2. verb

To draw attention to something.

“The documentary spotlights the struggles of small farmers.”

highlight foreground

How to use spotlight

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

steal the spotlight in the spotlight spotlight an issue

Etymology

A compound of "spot" and "light," referring originally to a light aimed at a specific spot on stage.

Full origin of spotlight →

Frequently asked questions

What does “spotlight” mean?

The word “spotlight” means a powerful, directed beam of light used to illuminate a specific person or area, especially on a stage. In plain terms, a focused beam of light, or being the center of attention.

How do you pronounce “spotlight”?

“Spotlight” is pronounced SPOT-lyt (/ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “spotlight” in a sentence?

Here is “spotlight” used in a sentence: “The singer stepped into the spotlight as the crowd cheered.”

What part of speech is “spotlight”?

Depending on how it is used, “spotlight” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “spotlight” a common word?

“Spotlight” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “spotlight” have?

“Spotlight” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a powerful, directed beam of light used to illuminate a specific person or area, especially on a stage.

What is the difference between a spotlight and a floodlight?

A spotlight casts a narrow, focused beam to illuminate one person or area, especially on a stage. A floodlight casts a wide beam to light up a large area evenly. The key difference is how concentrated the beam is.

When is someone said to be in the spotlight?

Someone is said to be in the spotlight when they are the center of public attention or media focus. The phrase draws on the literal stage spotlight that singles out a performer.

What is the difference between spotlight and limelight?

Both refer to being the focus of public attention. Spotlight is the more common modern term, while limelight is older and slightly more literary, originating from a type of stage lighting. In everyday use the two are nearly interchangeable.

What words commonly go with spotlight?

Common collocations include "in the spotlight," "steal the spotlight," "shine a spotlight on," and "spotlight on." Several of these use the figurative sense of public attention.

People also searched

focus spot highlight showcase foreground glare floodlight limelight searchlight

Nearby words

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