Word
jot
US/ˈdʒɑt/
UK/dʒˈɒt/
Definitions
01write briefly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to write something quickly or briefly, often as a short note. You use this when you want to remember information for later.
v. to write something briefly or hastily, typically as a quick note. Most commonly used with the particle 'down' ('jot down a number', 'jot down a reminder').
“Jot down the address before you forget it.”
“She paused mid-meeting to jot a few ideas in her notebook before the discussion moved on.”
02a tiny amount
C1 · Advanced Countable noun
n. a very small amount of something. You use this in expressions like 'not a jot' to say that something does not matter at all.
n. a very small amount; an iota. Used almost exclusively in negative constructions ('not a jot', 'not one jot') to emphasize zero impact or triviality. Originally from the Greek letter iota, the smallest in the Greek alphabet.
“I don't care a jot.”
“The negative reviews did not change his opinion one jot, and he remained confident in his original plan.”
Etymology
The noun is borrowed from Latin iōta (“the letter iota of the Ancient Greek alphabet”), from Ancient Greek ἰῶτα (iôta, “ninth letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet; (figurative) very small part of writing, jot”), from Phoenician 𐤉 (y, “tenth letter of the Phoenician abjad, yodh”). Doublet of iota and yodh. Etymology 1 sense 3 (“brief and hurriedly written note”) is derived from the verb. The verb is probably borrowed from Scots jot, from English jot (noun): see above.
The verb is possibly onomatopoeic, suggesting a jerking motion. The noun is derived from the verb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. jot and tittle
02. jot down
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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