ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spot

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈspɑt// UK //spˈɒt// spot
  1. 1 a location (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a particular place or area.

    a specific location, site, or area used for a particular purpose.

    Example

    This is a lovely spot for a picnic under the trees.

    Example

    The developers identified a prime spot for the new shopping centre, situated conveniently near the intersection of two major motorways.
  2. 2 a small mark (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small, round mark that is a different colour from the area around it.

    a small, usually circular area of a surface that differs in colour or texture from the main part.

    Example

    The dog is white with a large black spot over one eye.

    Example

    The biologist noted several irregular brown spots on the leaves, suggesting the presence of a fungal infection within the greenhouse.
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  1. 3 on the skin (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    a small, red mark or pimple on your skin.

    a small, inflamed papule or pustule on the skin.

    Example

    He was worried about a red spot that appeared on his chin.

    Example

    Teenagers often struggle with confidence when they develop spots, though most dermatologists consider it a standard part of adolescent development.
  2. 4 a difficult situation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a difficult or embarrassing situation.

    a difficult, awkward, or compromising situation; often used in the phrase 'in a tight spot'.

    Example

    I was in a bit of a spot when I realised I had forgotten my wallet.

    Example

    The sudden withdrawal of the primary investor put the startup in a difficult spot just weeks before the product launch.
  3. 5 advertisement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English advertising

    a short advertisement on television or radio.

    a brief interval in a broadcast schedule devoted to a specific advertisement or programme segment.

    Example

    The company paid for a thirty-second spot during the championship game.

    Example

    Securing a prime-time television spot remains the most expensive component of the national marketing campaign.
  4. 6 to notice (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to see or notice someone or something, especially when they are hard to find.

    to detect, notice, or identify something through active observation or by chance.

    Example

    Can you spot the difference between these two pictures?

    Example

    The eagle-eyed customs officer managed to spot the forged signature on the passport despite the high quality of the counterfeit.
  5. 7 to mark or stain (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to mark something with small dots or stains.

    to mark or discolour with small spots; to become marked with spots.

    Example

    The rain started to spot the pavement just as we left the house.

    Example

    Years of dampness had begun to spot the silk wallpaper with unsightly grey mildew.
  6. 8 to lend money (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal American English Slang

    to lend someone a small amount of money for a short time.

    to provide someone with a small amount of money as a loan, usually for an immediate need.

    Example

    Could you spot me five dollars for lunch? I'll pay you back tomorrow.

    Example

    He asked his colleague to spot him the entrance fee, promising to settle the debt via a bank transfer later that evening.
  7. 9 immediate (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical finance

    happening or paid immediately.

    relating to a system of trading where goods are delivered and paid for immediately.

    Example

    The spot price of gold changed three times this morning.

    Example

    Traders closely monitored the spot market to determine the immediate impact of the geopolitical crisis on crude oil prices.
Idioms6 entries

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