plural
spots
plural
spots
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPOT
[count]
1
a
:
a small area of a surface that is different from other areas
-
The wood still has some rough spots.
-
The chair's original paint is still visible in spots.
-
He fell through a weak spot in the ice.
—
often + on
-
The dog is black with a white spot on its chest.
-
There are wet spots on the floor.
-
a sore spot on his hand
-
He tries to cover up the bald spot on his head.
-
a bruised spot on the apple
—
see also beauty spot, sunspot
b
:
a small amount of a substance that is on something
—
often + of
c
:
a small mark or lump on your skin, on the surface of a plant, etc.
2
:
a particular space or area
:
place
-
This looks like a good spot for a picnic.
-
a sunny/shady spot
-
a quiet spot by the river
-
our family's favorite vacation spot
-
We had trouble finding a parking spot. [=space]
-
The battle happened exactly on/at this spot over 150 years ago.
-
There are spots in the essay where the writer drifts from his argument.
-
This is a good spot to stop the movie.
—
see also black spot, hot spot, nightspot, trouble spot, bright spot at bright
3
:
a particular position in a competition, organization, program, etc.
-
The teams are battling for the last play-off spot.
-
The band deserves a better spot in the festival's lineup.
-
The talk show has been moved to a daytime spot.
-
He's trying out for a spot on the team.
-
With such a large lead, the team is in a comfortable spot.
4
:
an appearance on a television or radio program
5
:
a short announcement or advertisement on television or radio
6
:
a difficult or embarrassing position or situation
—
usually singular
-
When the truth came out, they found themselves in an awful spot. [=fix, mess, predicament]
-
You put me in a (tight) spot.
7
British
:
a small amount of something
-
I had a spot of [=bit of] trouble putting the bicycle together.
-
How about a spot of tennis before lunch?
-
a spot of lunch
-
Just a spot of brandy, please.
-
They had a spot of bother with the Inland Revenue.
a leopard can't change its spots
—
see leopard
hit the spot
informal, of food or drink
:
to be very enjoyable or satisfying
knock spots off
British, informal
:
to be much better than (someone or something)
on the spot
1
:
right away at the place that has been mentioned
:
immediately
-
I offered him the job when he came for an interview, and he accepted the offer on the spot.
-
When the boss saw him stealing, he was fired on the spot.
2
:
at the place where something is happening
3
:
in a difficult or dangerous position or situation
4
British
:
in the same location without moving forward or backward
2
spot
/ˈspɑːt/
verb
spots;
spotted;
spotting
spots;
spotted;
spotting
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPOT
[+ object]
1
not used in progressive tenses
:
to see or notice (someone or something that is difficult to see or find)
-
She spotted a deer in the woods.
-
He spotted a typo.
-
Can you spot [=recognize] the difference between the pictures?
-
The band's lead singer was recently spotted with a well-known actress.
2
US
a
:
to give (an opponent) a specified advantage at the beginning of a race, game, etc., in order to make a competition more even
b
informal
:
to lend (someone) a small amount of money
3
American football
:
to put (the football) at the appropriate place on the field in preparation for the next play
4
:
to mark (something) with spots
—
usually used as (be) spotted with
3
spot
/ˈspɑːt/
adjective
3
spot
/ˈspɑːt/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of SPOT
always used before a noun
finance
:
relating to goods or shares that are paid for and delivered immediately instead of at a future time
-
the difference between futures and spot commodities
-
the spot price of wheat/oil
-
the spot market
-
spot cash [=cash paid immediately for something]