- 1a small round area that has a different color or feels different from the surface it is on Which has spots, the leopard or the tiger? The male bird has a red spot on its beak. see beauty spot, sunspot Thesauruspatch
- dot
- mark
- spot
- patch an area of something, especially one which is different from the area around it:a white dog with a black patch around its eye patches of dense fog
- dot a small round mark on something, especially one that is printed:The letters “i” and “j” have dots over them. The island is a small green dot on the map. Periods and decimal points are often referred to as “dots,” especially when talking about computers:The file is called “my essay dot doc.” The IP address is “192 dot 168 dot zero dot zero.”
- mark a noticeable area of color on the body of a person or an animal:The horse had a white mark on his head.
- spot a small round area that is a different color or feels different from the surface it is on:Which one has spots—a leopard or a tiger?
- a patch/dot/mark/spot on something
- with patches/dots/marks/spots
- a blue/black/red, etc. patch/dot/mark/spot
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- 2a small dirty mark on something His jacket was covered with spots of mud. rust spots Thesaurusmark
- stain
- fingerprint
- streak
- speck
- blot
- smear
- spot
- mark a small area of dirt or other substance on the surface of something, especially one that spoils its appearance:The kids left dirty marks all over the kitchen floor.
- stain a dirty mark on something that is difficult to remove, especially one made by a liquid:blood stains
- fingerprint a mark on a surface made by the pattern of lines on the end of a person's finger, often used by the police to identify criminals:Her fingerprints were all over the gun.
- streak a long thin mark or line that is a different color from the surface it is on:She had streaks of gray in her hair.
- speck a very small mark, spot, or piece of a substance on something:There isn't a speck of dust anywhere in the house.
- blot a spot or dirty mark left on something by a substance such as ink being dropped on a surface:an ink blot
- smear a mark made by something such as oil or paint being spread or rubbed on a surface:She had smears of paint on her dress.
- spot a small dirty mark on something:He found grease spots all over the walls.
- a streak/speck/blot/smear/spot of something
- a greasy mark/stain/smear
- a/an ink mark/stain/blot/spot
- a/an grease mark/stain/spot
- to leave a mark/stain/fingerprint/streak/speck/blot/smear
- 3[usually plural] a small mark or lump on a person's skin that shows that they are sick The baby's whole body was covered in small red spots. compare rash, zit place
- 4a particular area or place a quiet/secluded/lonely, etc. spot He showed me the exact spot where he had asked her to marry him. She stood rooted to the spot with fear (= unable to move). a tourist spot This is a favorite spot for walkers and climbers. see blind spot, hot spot, nightspot, trouble spot, place small amount
- 5[usually plural] spot (of something) a small amount of a liquid I felt a few spots of rain. part of show
- 6a part of a television, radio, club, or theater show that is given to a particular entertainer or type of entertainment a guest/solo spot in competition
- 7a position in a competition or an event two teams battling for top spot
- 8(informal) = spotlight Thesaurusmark
- stain
- fingerprint
- streak
- speck
- blot
- smear
- spot
- mark a small area of dirt or other substance on the surface of something, especially one that spoils its appearance:The kids left dirty marks all over the kitchen floor.
- stain a dirty mark on something that is difficult to remove, especially one made by a liquid:blood stains
- fingerprint a mark on a surface made by the pattern of lines on the end of a person's finger, often used by the police to identify criminals:Her fingerprints were all over the gun.
- streak a long thin mark or line that is a different color from the surface it is on:She had streaks of gray in her hair.
- speck a very small mark, spot, or piece of a substance on something:There isn't a speck of dust anywhere in the house.
- blot a spot or dirty mark left on something by a substance such as ink being dropped on a surface:an ink blot
- smear a mark made by something such as oil or paint being spread or rubbed on a surface:She had smears of paint on her dress.
- spot a small dirty mark on something:He found grease spots all over the walls.
- a streak/speck/blot/smear/spot of something
- a greasy mark/stain/smear
- a/an ink mark/stain/blot/spot
- a/an grease mark/stain/spot
- to leave a mark/stain/fingerprint/streak/speck/blot/smear
- dot
- mark
- spot
- patch an area of something, especially one which is different from the area around it:a white dog with a black patch around its eye patches of dense fog
- dot a small round mark on something, especially one that is printed:The letters “i” and “j” have dots over them. The island is a small green dot on the map. Periods and decimal points are often referred to as “dots,” especially when talking about computers:The file is called “my essay dot doc.” The IP address is “192 dot 168 dot zero dot zero.”
- mark a noticeable area of color on the body of a person or an animal:The horse had a white mark on his head.
- spot a small round area that is a different color or feels different from the surface it is on:Which one has spots—a leopard or a tiger?
- a patch/dot/mark/spot on something
- with patches/dots/marks/spots
- a blue/black/red, etc. patch/dot/mark/spot
- 1immediately He answered the question on the spot. an on-the-spot parking fine
- 2at the actual place where something is happening An ambulance was on the spot within minutes. an on-the-spot report
small mark
to be so shocked or frightened that you cannot move
a good or pleasant part of something that is unpleasant or bad in all other ways The win last week was the only bright spot in their last ten games.
not able to move, for example because you are frightened or surprised
to like someone or something She's always had a soft spot for you.
if food or drink hits the spot, it is very satisfying and enjoyable
in a difficult situation She'll always help you if you're in a spot.
people cannot change their character, especially if they have a bad character You didn't really expect her to be on time, did you? A leopard can't change its spots.
to make someone feel awkward or embarrassed by asking them a difficult question The interviewer's questions really put him on the spot.
Check pronunciation: spot