First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1spot
noun \ˈspät\
: a small area of a surface that is different from other areas
: a small amount of a substance that is on something
: a small mark or lump on your skin, on the surface of a plant, etc.
Full Definition of SPOT
1
: a taint on character or reputation : fault <the only spot on the family name>
2
a : a small area visibly different (as in color, finish, or material) from the surrounding area b (1) : an area marred or marked (as by dirt) (2) : a circumscribed surface lesion of disease (as measles) or decay <spots of rot> <rust spots on a leaf> c : a conventionalized design used on playing cards to distinguish the suits and indicate values
3
: an object having a specified number of spots or a specified numeral on its surface
4
: a small quantity or amount : bit
5
a : a particular place, area, or part b : a small extent of space
6
plural usually spot : a small croaker (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast with a black spot behind the opercula
7
a : a particular position (as in an organization or a hierarchy) b : a place or appearance on an entertainment program
8
9
: a position usually of difficulty or embarrassment
10
: a brief announcement or advertisement broadcast between scheduled radio or television programs
11
: a brief segment or report on a broadcast especially of news
— on the spot
1
: at once : immediately
2
: at the place of action
3
a : in a responsible or accountable position b : in a difficult or trying situation
See spot defined for English-language learners
See spot defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SPOT
Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch spotte stain, speck, Old Norse spotti small piece
Related to SPOT
2spot
verb
: to see or notice (someone or something that is difficult to see or find)
: to give (an opponent) a specified advantage at the beginning of a race, game, etc., in order to make a competition more even
: to lend (someone) a small amount of money
spot·tedspot·ting
Full Definition of SPOT
transitive verb
1
: to stain the character or reputation of : disgrace
2
: to mark in or with a spot : stain
3
: to locate or identify by a spot
4
5
6
: to remove a spot from
7
: to allow as a handicap
intransitive verb
1
: to become stained or discolored in spots
2
: to cause a spot
3
: to act as a spotter; especially : to locate targets
4
: to experience abnormal and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from the uterus
— spot·ta·ble \ˈspä-tə-bəl\ adjective
See spot defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPOT
14th century
3spot
adjective
finance : relating to goods or shares that are paid for and delivered immediately instead of at a future time
Full Definition of SPOT
1
a : being, originating, or done on the spot or in or for a particular spot <spot coverage of the news> b : available for immediate delivery after sale <spot commodities> c (1) : paid out upon delivery <spot cash> (2) : involving immediate cash payment <a spot transaction> d (1) : broadcast between scheduled programs <spot announcements> (2) : originating in a local station for a national advertiser e : performing occasionally when needed <a spot starter>
2
: made at random or restricted to a few places or instances <a spot check>; also : selected at random or as a sample
See spot defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPOT
1881
SPOT Defined for Kids
1spot
noun \ˈspät\
Definition of SPOT for Kids
1
: a small part that is different from the main part <He has a bald spot.>
2
: an area soiled or marked (as by dirt)
3
: a particular place <… he still remembered the spot where the poor thing was buried. — John Reynolds Gardiner, Stone Fox>
4
: 1position 3 <“You go get in line and hold our spot …” — Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons>
5
: fault 1 <There's a spot on his good name.>
— spot·ted \ˈspä-təd\ adjective
— on the spot
1
: right away <She was hired on the spot.>
2
: at the place of action <The reporter was reporting on the spot.>
3
: in difficulty or danger <The question put me on the spot.>
2spot
verb
spot·tedspot·ting
Definition of SPOT for Kids
1
: to mark or be marked with spots
2
: to single out : identify <I spotted him in the crowd.>
Learn More About SPOT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: spot anthracnosePrevious Word in the Dictionary: sposhAll Words Near: spot
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up spot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).