spotty
Spotty (adjective) means Uneven or unreliable in quality; good in some parts and poor in others. Example: “Cell coverage out here is pretty spotty.”
How to use spotty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInconsistent or patchy — sometimes there, sometimes not — or literally covered in spots.
Word forms
spottier comparative, spotties plural, spottiest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cell coverage out here is pretty _____.
Etymology
From Middle English spotty, built from spot plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y".
Rhymes for spotty
See all rhymes for spotty →Frequently asked questions
What does “spotty” mean?
The word “spotty” means uneven or unreliable in quality; good in some parts and poor in others. In plain terms, inconsistent or patchy — sometimes there, sometimes not — or literally covered in spots.
How do you use “spotty” in a sentence?
Here is “spotty” used in a sentence: “Cell coverage out here is pretty spotty.”
What part of speech is “spotty”?
“Spotty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “spotty” come from?
The word “spotty” comes from Middle English. From Middle English spotty, built from spot plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y".
How many meanings does “spotty” have?
“Spotty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: uneven or unreliable in quality; good in some parts and poor in others.