spot

The definition of a spot is a flaw, stain or rounded mark either on something or in a person's character.

(noun)

An example of spot is a red wine stain.

Spot is defined as to stain, to remove stains, to recognize or to see.

(verb)

  1. An example of spot is to clean up a red wine stain.
  2. An example of spot is to notice a best friend in a crowd of people.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See spot in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a small area of different color or texture from the main area of which it is a part; often, a mark made by some foreign matter; stain, blot, speck, patch, etc.
    1. any of the pips used on playing cards, dice, etc.
    2. a playing card having (a specified number of) pips: the ten spot of spades
  2. a flaw or defect, as in character or reputation; something blameworthy; fault
    1. a locality; place: a good fishing spot
    2. any small area or space
  3. spotlight
  4. a small, edible, silvery, marine drum fish (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the W Atlantic with a black spot behind the gill cover
  5. Brit., Informal a small quantity; bit: a spot of tea
  6. Informal position; situation; job
  7. Informal position or place in a schedule or listing
  8. Informal a spot advertisement or announcement
  9. Informal the advantage or handicap given an opponent
  10. Slang a nightclub
  11. Slang a piece of paper money of a specified value: a ten spot

Origin: ME < or akin to MDu spotte, akin to ON spotti, small piece (of ground)

transitive verb spotted, spotting

  1. to mark with spots
  2. to sully; stain; blemish
  3. to mark for future consideration
    1. to place in or on a given spot or spots; locate: to spot men at strategic points
    2. Informal to put in a spot in a schedule or listing
  4. to be located at various places in or on
  5. to shine a spotlight on
  6. to remove (individual spots, marks, etc.) as in dry cleaning
    1. to pick out; detect; see; recognize: to spot someone in a crowd
    2. to determine the location of (a target, the enemy, etc.)
    3. to correct the accuracy of (gunfire) for a gun crew
  7. to observe and report on (plays) as a spotter in sports
  8. Informal to allow as an advantage or handicap: to spot an opponent points

intransitive verb

  1. to become marked with spots
  2. to cause a spot or spots; make a stain, as ink, water, etc.
  3. to act as a spotter, esp. for a gun crew or in sports

adjective

    1. that can be paid out or delivered immediately; ready: spot cash
    2. involving immediate payment of cash
    3. involving cash transactions only
  1. made at random or according to an arbitrary sampling procedure: a spot survey
  2. inserted between regular radio or television programs: a spot advertisement or announcement

See spot in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A place of relatively small and definite limits.
  2. a. A mark on a surface differing sharply in color from its surroundings.
    b. A blemish, mark, or pimple on the skin.
    c. A stain or blot.
  3. Games
    a. A mark or pip on a playing card; a spade, club, diamond, or heart.
    b. A playing card with a specified number of such marks on it indicating its value.
  4. Informal A piece of paper money worth a specified number of dollars.
  5. a. A location; a locale.
    b. A point of interest: There are a lot of spots to visit in the old city.
    c. A position or an item in an ordered arrangement.
  6. Informal A situation, especially a troublesome one.
  7. A flaw in one's reputation or character.
  8. A short presentation or commercial on television or radio between major programs: a news spot.
  9. Informal A spotlight.
  10. pl. spot or spots A small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of North American Atlantic waters, having a dark mark above each pectoral fin and valued as a food and sport fish.
  11. Chiefly British A small amount; a bit.
verb spot·ted, spot·ting, spots
verb, transitive
  1. To cause a spot or spots to appear on, especially:
    a. To soil with spots.
    b. To decorate with spots; dot.
  2. To harm; besmirch.
  3. To place in a particular location; situate precisely.
  4. To detect or discern, especially visually; spy.
  5. To remove spots from, as in a laundry.
  6. Sports To yield a favorable scoring margin to: spotted their opponents 11 points.
  7. Sports To act as a spotter for (a gymnast, for example).
  8. Informal To lend: Can you spot me $25 until payday?
verb, intransitive
  1. To become marked with spots.
  2. To cause a discoloration or make a stain.
  3. To locate targets from the air during combat or training missions.
adjective
  1. Made, paid, or delivered immediately: a spot sale.
  2. Of, relating to, or being a market in which payment or delivery is immediate: the spot market in oil.
  3. Involving random or selective instances or actions: a spot investigation.
  4. Presented between major radio or television programs: a spot announcement.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English

.

Related Forms:

  • spotˈta·ble adjective

Learn more about spot

link/cite print suggestion box