spot

A small area that looks different from the surface around it.

• There is a dark spot on the wall.
• The dog has white spots on its back.
• I noticed a bald spot near the top of his head.

Similar words: patch, mark

Common phrases: bald spot, dark spot, red spot

A particular place or position, sometimes in a schedule.

• This is a good spot for the table.
• She got a spot on the evening program.
• Can you save me a spot near the front?

How to use it: spot on something (She earned a spot on the team.); spot in something (We found a quiet spot in the park.)

Similar words: place, position, slot

Common phrases: parking spot, spot on something, spot in something, favorite spot

A place available for someone in a team, group, or competition.

• There is one spot left on our team.
• They won a spot in the final.
• Have you reserved your spot in the class?

How to use it: a spot on a team (She earned a spot on the national team.); a spot in something (There is one spot in the final left.)

Similar words: place, position

Common phrases: playoff spot, a spot on, secure a spot

A short advertisement broadcast on television or radio.

• The radio spot lasts thirty seconds.
• They bought two spots during the football game.
• Their new television spot features a singing dog.

Similar words: advertisement, commercial, ad

Common phrases: radio spot, advertising spot, television spot

A small amount of something, or a little time spent doing something.

• Would you like a spot of tea?
• We had a spot of rain this morning.
• I did a spot of gardening after lunch.

How to use it: a spot of something (We stopped for a spot of lunch.)

Similar words: bit, little, touch

Common phrases: spot of tea, spot of rain, spot of shopping

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

• Can you spot the cat in this picture?
• I spotted an old friend in the crowd.
• She quickly spots mistakes in other people's work.

How to use it: spot someone/something doing something (I spotted a fox running across the field.)

Similar words: notice, see, detect, pick out

Opposites: miss, overlook

Common phrases: spot a mistake, spot the difference, spot someone nearby, spot an error

To make small marks on a surface, or become covered in small marks.

• Red wine spotted my shirt.
• The fabric spots easily in the rain.
• Mud had spotted his clean trousers.

How to use it: spot something with something (The spray spotted the wall with blue paint.)

Similar words: mark, stain, speckle

Common phrases: spot a shirt, spot with paint, spot the fabric

To lend someone a small amount of money.

• Can you spot me ten dollars?
• She spotted him enough cash for lunch.
• I'll spot you the money until Friday.

How to use it: spot someone an amount (Could you spot me five dollars until tomorrow?)

Similar words: lend, loan

Common phrases: spot someone money, spot someone ten