# spotlight

/ˈspɑtˌɫaɪt/ (US) · /spˈɒtlaɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spotlight
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. stage lamp

noun · CEFR B2

a powerful light used in a theatre to shine on a performer.

For teachers: a lamp that produces a strong, focused beam of light to illuminate a specific area or person, typically on a stage.

- The singer stood alone in the spotlight while the rest of the stage was dark.
- The technician adjusted the spotlight to follow the lead actor as he moved across the stage during the final monologue.

### 2. public attention

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where someone gets a lot of attention from the public or the media.

For teachers: the state of being the centre of public attention or intense media scrutiny.

- The young athlete found it difficult to live in the spotlight after winning the gold medal.
- The scandal thrust the private company into the media spotlight, forcing the CEO to issue a public statement.

### 3. to highlight

verb · CEFR B2

to draw attention to a specific problem, person, or fact.

For teachers: to direct public attention toward a particular issue or subject. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- The report aims to spotlight the challenges faced by small businesses today.
- The documentary successfully spotlighted the environmental impact of industrial farming, sparking a nationwide debate on food policy.

### 4. to shine light on

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to shine a bright light directly on something.

For teachers: to illuminate an object or person with a focused beam of light.

- The security guard used his torch to spotlight the broken window.
- The museum's new lighting system is designed to spotlight individual sculptures without creating harsh shadows on the gallery walls.

## Examples

- The singer stood alone in the bright spotlight.
- The recent scandal has put the company's hiring practices under the media spotlight.
- While some actors thrive when the spotlight is on them, others find the constant public attention to be a significant burden on their private lives.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.