Spot
/spɒt/
Definitions
5 meaningsA mark or stain on a surface.
/spɒt/
A mark or stain
The dog had a white spot on its forehead.
💡 Simply: Imagine you spill some juice and leave a little mark on the table. That mark is a spot!
👶 For kids: A spot is like a little dot or mark on something, like a mark from a crayon.
More Examples
She tried to remove the oil spot from her jeans.
He found a black spot on the apple.
How It's Used
"There was a coffee spot on his shirt."
"The doctor noticed a suspicious spot on the x-ray."
A particular place or location.
/spɒt/
A particular place
They chose a sunny spot to set up their chairs.
💡 Simply: Your favorite place to sit in the park is your 'spot'! It's that special place.
👶 For kids: A spot is a special place, like your favorite place to play.
More Examples
It's a popular spot for tourists.
This is the perfect spot for a photo.
How It's Used
"This is a great spot for a picnic."
"We found a hidden spot by the lake."
To notice or recognize someone or something, often suddenly or unexpectedly.
/spɒt/
To notice or recognize something
He spotted a bargain in the shop.
💡 Simply: Have you ever been looking for something and suddenly you *see* it? You 'spot' it!
👶 For kids: When you spot something, it's like you suddenly see it, like you're playing I Spy!
More Examples
The bird watcher spotted a rare species.
Can you spot the difference between these two pictures?
How It's Used
"I spotted a familiar face in the crowd."
"She spotted a deer in the forest."
To help or assist someone, particularly in a sport or exercise.
/spɒt/
To place someone or something in a particular place
Could you spot me while I bench press?
💡 Simply: When someone helps you in a sport or exercise, like keeping an eye on you while you lift weights. They're spotting you!
👶 For kids: If you help someone while they are lifting something heavy, like holding up a chair, that's spotting!
More Examples
He was spotted helping the elderly person carry their groceries.
The coach spotted the gymnast during the routine.
How It's Used
"He spotted the runner to make sure he didn't fall."
"Can you spot me while I lift weights?"
To remove a stain by applying a substance.
/spɒt/
To apply a substance to remove a stain
He spotted the carpet with a stain remover.
💡 Simply: When your clothes get dirty, and you need to clean it, that's spotting!
👶 For kids: If your clothes have a little dirt, you can spot it to clean it up.
More Examples
Spot clean the couch before washing it.
She spotted the stain on her shirt.
How It's Used
"She spotted the stain with a cleaning solution."
"Spot clean your rug when needed."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
on the spot
Immediately; at once.
"He was asked to make a decision on the spot."
From Middle English *spot*, from Old English *spott* 'spot, stain, mark', of uncertain origin.
The word 'spot' has been used since Old English times to describe marks or blemishes.
Memory tip
Think of a 'spot' on a clean shirt - something unexpected!
Word Origin
"small mark or stain"