spot
spot
Pronunciation
/spɒt/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/ɒ/ - open back rounded vowel
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: spot
Plural Noun: spots
Verb (base form): spot
Verb (third-person singular present): spots
Verb (present participle): spotting
Verb (past tense): spotted
Verb (past participle): spotted
Adjective (from noun, informal): spot (as in "a spot check")
Adverb (from noun, informal): spot (as in "spot on")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A small, usually round or irregularly shaped mark, area, or blemish that stands out from its surroundings due to a difference in color, texture, or composition.
Synonyms: mark, stain, dot, fleck, blemish, smudge
Antonyms: expanse, uniformity, clarity
Definition 2: A particular place, location, or position.
Synonyms: place, location, site, position, area, point
Antonyms: nowhere, space (undefined)
Definition 3 (informal): A small amount or quantity of something, especially a beverage.
Synonyms: bit, drop, touch, dash, sip
Antonyms: lot, abundance, multitude
Verb
Definition 1: To see, notice, or identify something, often quickly or with some effort, especially when it is not immediately obvious.
Synonyms: see, notice, discern, perceive, detect, recognize
Antonyms: miss, overlook, ignore, be blind to
Definition 2: To mark or stain something with a spot or spots.
Synonyms: stain, mark, fleck, spatter, speckle
Antonyms: clean, purify, unblemish
Definition 3 (informal): To lend a small amount of money to someone.
Synonyms: lend, give, provide (temporarily)
Antonyms: borrow, take, withhold
Adjective
Definition 1 (informal): Done or occurring at a particular place; immediate or on-the-spot.
Synonyms: immediate, instant, on-the-spot, direct
Antonyms: delayed, postponed, widespread, gradual
Examples of Use
Books:
"He paused, looking for a quiet spot where he could read his new book." (From The Midnight Library by Matt Haig)
"There was a small, dark spot on the antique tablecloth that she couldn't quite identify." (From The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman)
Newspapers:
"The recent rainfall has created several muddy spots on the hiking trails." (From The Daily Nation)
"Analysts spot a potential rebound in the local housing market." (From The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Experts spot alarming trends in global warming data." (From Nature.com)
"This small café is a hidden gem, the perfect spot for an afternoon coffee." (From TripAdvisor.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV: "Did you spot the Easter egg in that last scene?" (Common dialogue on film review YouTube channels, e.g., ScreenRant, ongoing)
Music: "I've got a spot in my heart for you, darling." (From the lyrics of "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison, November 1970)
Video Games: "You need to find the weak spot on the boss to defeat it." (Common instruction in action-adventure games, e.g., The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
Social Media: "Just saw a celebrity at my favorite coffee spot!" (Common phrase on Twitter/X or Instagram, ongoing)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's meet up at our usual spot tomorrow after work."
"Can you spot me twenty dollars until payday?"
"That new restaurant is a really good spot for Italian food."
"He managed to spot the rare bird in the dense foliage."
10 Quotes Using Spot
"Do not look at stars as bright spots only. Try to take in the vastness of the universe." - Maria Mitchell (BrainyQuote)
"Everyone has blind spots, and even the brightest people are no exceptions." - Li Lu (BrainyQuote)
"Old age is when the liver spots show through your gloves." - Phyllis Diller (BrainyQuote)
"A leopard does not change his spots, or change his feeling that spots are rather a credit." - Ivy Compton-Burnett (BrainyQuote)
"I've been to Uganda and to North Korea and to Eritrea, countless horror spots around the world." - Christopher Hitchens (BrainyQuote)
"Let me tell you something that we Israelis have against Moses. He took us 40 years through the desert in order to bring us to the one spot in the Middle East that has no oil!" - Golda Meir (BrainyQuote)
"There's a bright spot in every dark cloud." - Bruce Beresford (BrainyQuote)
"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun." - Pablo Picasso (BrainyQuote)
"We may be surprised at the people we find in heaven. God has a soft spot for sinners. His standards are quite low." - Desmond Tutu (BrainyQuote)
"You can never get to a place of comfort in this business. As soon as you hit that little cushy spot, somebody's gonna kick you out." - Charlize Theron (BrainyQuote)
Etymology
The word "spot" has a pretty old and interesting history! It comes from Germanic languages, and you can see its roots in words like the Middle Dutch "spotte" and the Old Norse "spotti," both of which referred to a "speck" or "small piece."
The earliest known use of "spot" as a noun in English dates back to the Old English period (before 1150 A.D.). Back then, its main meaning was a "moral stain" or "blemish" – something that would leave a mark on a person's character or reputation.
By the mid-14th century, it also started to be used more literally to mean a "speck" or "stain left on a surface." Think about a drop of ink on a piece of paper, or a mark on an animal's fur.
The idea of "spot" meaning a particular "place" or "location" came about a bit later, in the late 14th century. So, while it began with the idea of a blemish or mark, it quickly grew to encompass the idea of a specific point or area.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Spot
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using the word "spot":
On the spot: Immediately; without delay; also, in a difficult or embarrassing situation.
Hit the spot: To be exactly what is needed or desired, especially something that satisfies a craving or need.
In a tight spot: In a difficult or precarious situation.
A soft spot for (someone/something): To have a particular fondness or affection for someone or something.
Spot on: Exactly right or accurate.
Bright spot: A positive or hopeful aspect in an otherwise negative situation.
Spot check: A random or unannounced inspection or test.
To spot a trend: To identify a developing pattern or direction.
To be in the spot-light: To be the center of public attention.
Change one's spots: To change one's inherent character or nature (usually used in the negative, as in "a leopard can't change its spots").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of spot from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
