spot
spot
Spot (noun) means a small mark or patch of a different color or texture on a surface. Example: “Rain left a pale spot on the wooden table where the mug had stood.”
noun
1
A small mark or patch of a different color or texture on a surface.
"Rain left a pale spot on the wooden table where the mug had stood."
"The dog had a black spot right over one eye."
"There's a grease spot on your shirt."
2
A particular place or location.
"We found a quiet spot by the river and unrolled the picnic blanket."
"Parking in the town centre is hard, so I always look for a free spot early."
"This is a great spot for watching the sunset."
3
A small pimple or blemish on the skin.
"Try not to squeeze that spot, or it will take longer to heal."
"He covered the spot on his forehead with a little concealer."
"She had a spot on her chin before the big date."
verb
1
To notice, find, or recognize something.
"Keep your eyes open and tell me if you spot a free table."
"I spotted him across the crowded room."
"Can you spot the difference between these two pictures?"
2
To stand by and support someone performing a physical exercise, ready to help if needed.
"My training partner always spots me when I lift heavy weights."
"A good gym buddy will spot you and catch the bar if you struggle."
"Can you spot me while I try this heavier bench press?"
How to use spot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mark, a place, a skin blemish, or to notice/support something.
Common pairings
spot the difference
parking spot
on the spot
spot someone (gym)
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Word forms
- Plural
- spots
- Third person singular
- spots
- Past tense
- spotted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rain left a pale _____ on the wooden table where the mug had stood.
Etymology
From Middle English spot, merging with Old English splott ("a patch of ground"), both related to the idea of a distinct small patch or mark.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for spot
See all rhymes for spot →Frequently asked questions
What does “spot” mean?
The word “spot” means a small mark or patch of a different color or texture on a surface. In plain terms, a mark, a place, a skin blemish, or to notice/support something.
How do you pronounce “spot”?
“Spot” is pronounced spot (/spɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “spot” in a sentence?
Here is “spot” used in a sentence: “The dog had a black spot right over one eye.”
What is another word for “spot”?
Words with a similar meaning to “spot” include catch sight of, clock, decern, descry, espy and goam.
What part of speech is “spot”?
Depending on how it is used, “spot” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spot” come from?
The word “spot” comes from Old English. From Middle English spot, merging with Old English splott ("a patch of ground"), both related to the idea of a distinct small patch or mark.
Is “spot” a common word?
“Spot” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “spot” have?
“Spot” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small mark or patch of a different color or texture on a surface.
What is the difference between a spot and a stain?
A spot is simply a small mark or patch that differs in colour or texture from the surface around it. A stain is a discolouration that soaks into a material and is usually hard to remove. In short, most stains are spots, but a spot need not be a stain.
What is the difference between a spot and a dot?
A dot is a small, usually round and deliberate mark, like the point over a letter 'i'. A spot is any small patch of different colour or texture, and it is often irregular in shape and accidental, such as a spot of grease or a spot on an animal's coat.
What is an example of a spot?
Common examples include the dark spots on a leopard or dalmatian, a spot of grease on a shirt, a rust spot on metal, or a spot of mould on a wall. In each case, it is a small area that stands out from the surface around it.
Is a spot the same as a blemish?
They overlap but are not identical. A blemish is any small flaw that spoils the appearance of something otherwise smooth or perfect, and a spot is one common kind of blemish. However, a spot can also be neutral or natural, like the spots on a ladybird, rather than a defect.
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