spot
A small, round mark or stain on something.
The word spot has several meanings:
- A small, round mark or stain on a surface. You might notice a spot of ketchup on your shirt or spots of paint on the floor after an art project. A leopard's spots help it blend into dappled sunlight in the forest. When something is spotless, it's perfectly clean, without a single mark.
- A particular place or location. Your favorite spot in the library might be the cozy chair by the window. A scenic spot is a beautiful place worth visiting. When someone asks you to save them a spot in line, they want you to hold their place. Fishermen often have secret fishing spots where they know the fish gather.
- To notice or recognize something, especially something small or hard to see. A birdwatcher might spot a rare warbler high in a tree. You might spot your friend across a crowded cafeteria. Detectives spot clues that others miss. When you spot an error in your homework before turning it in, you catch the mistake in time to fix it.
The word can also mean to give someone an advantage in a game or competition, like spotting your younger sibling extra points to make things fair.