spotted

[ˈspɒtɨd]

[ˈspɑtɪ̈d]

Language▾

German

Persian

Russian

Spanish

An object or an animal can be spotted if it has distinct marks or patches of color. A leopard's fur might be spotted with black dots.

When we say something is "spotted", we often mean that it has visible marks or patterns on it. We use this word a lot when talking about animals, especially cats and big cats like leopards. For example, if you see a picture of a leopard in a zoo, the caption might say "This leopard's fur is spotted with black dots." This means its fur has distinctive dark spots all over it.

How common is "spotted"?

Word spotted is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To see, find; to pick out, notice, locate, distinguish or identify.
Example: Try to spot the differences between these two pictures.
To loan a small amount of money to someone.
Example: I’ll spot you ten dollars for lunch.
To stain; to leave a spot (on).
Example: Hard water will spot if it is left on a surface.
To remove, or attempt to remove, a stain.
Example: I spotted the carpet where the child dropped spaghetti.
To retouch a photograph on film to remove minor flaws.
To support or assist a maneuver, or to be prepared to assist if safety dictates.
Example: I can’t do a back handspring unless somebody spots me.
To keep the head and eyes pointing in a single direction while turning.
Example: Most figure skaters do not spot their turns like dancers do.
To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish, as reputation.
To cut or chip (timber) in preparation for hewing.
To place an object at a location indicated by a spot. Notably in billiards or snooker.
Example: The referee had to spot the pink on the blue spot.

1 / 10

adjective

Discoloured by spots; stained.
(no comparative or superlative) Characterized by spots (used especially of animals and plants).
Example: the spotted hyena

1 / 2

blotchedblotchyspottystained