noun
Common
spotlight
SPOT-lyt
Spotlight (noun) means a powerful, directed beam of light used to illuminate a specific person or area, especially on a stage. Example: “The singer stepped into the spotlight as the crowd cheered.”
noun
1
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."
"The lighting crew swung the spotlight across the stage to find the actor."
"A single spotlight lit up the magician as the curtain rose."
2
The center of public attention or focus.
"The scandal put the senator in the spotlight for weeks."
"Our small village was suddenly in the spotlight after the film crew arrived."
"She never enjoyed the spotlight and preferred to work quietly behind the scenes."
verb
1
To draw attention to something.
"The documentary spotlights the struggles of small farmers."
"The charity's new campaign aims to spotlight the problem of loneliness among older people."
"Her speech spotlighted how much work volunteers do for the town."
How to use spotlight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA focused beam of light, or being the center of attention.
Common pairings
steal the spotlight
in the spotlight
spotlight an issue
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Word forms
- Plural
- spotlights
- Third person singular
- spotlights
- Past tense
- spotlighted, spotlit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The singer stepped into the _____ as the crowd cheered.
Etymology
A compound of "spot" and "light," referring originally to a light aimed at a specific spot on stage.
Related words
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.
