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spot

spot

41 2.4
A small amount of a drink, for example a little cup of tea
  • noun
  • /spɑt/
  • UK
translation icon : un poco
  • I was just having a spot of lunch.

Examples

  • "Here is the hammer," she said quickly, and showed him the spot where the mirror was to hang.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I've got a spot of bother with my trailer, lost a wheel.

  • Coffee, water, perhaps a spot of tea?

  • Man, that really hits the spot.

  • Mom gives Brent a dirty look and pours just a spot into Jody's glass.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • "Here's to you, Sally Brown," he said, "and I hope you'll join us for a spot of adventure this afternoon."

    Fiction book (1995)
  • We might do a little spot of Pokémon hunting as well.

  • That'll hit the spot.

  • A spider web of fractures surrounded the spot where the blow had struck the ice creature's forehead.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Would you like a spot of ketchup with your fries?

Synonyms

bit
vsspot
1.0

A small piece or amount of something, for example food

is used more for small quantities of food or drink
little bit
vsspot
1.0

A small amount of something

is preferred when talking about small food or drink amounts
speck
vsspot
66 1.3

A very small spot or amount of something

applies to small quantities rather than single tiny particles
morsel
vsspot
28 3.2

A small piece of food that you eat in one bite

focuses on quantity, not a single solid piece of food
dollop
vsspot
18 3.8

A small amount of soft food put on something

covers general small amounts not served as a portion
smidge
vsspot
  • Informal
14 7.9

A very small amount of something

denotes a small but not necessarily barely noticeable amount

Antonyms

192 3.1

An amount that is more than what is needed

91 3.3

A large amount of something, more than you need

Idioms

121 2.8

Immediately at the exact place where something happens, often needing a quick response

spot on
  • UK
42 4.4

Exactly right about a fact or idea

to hit the spot
  • Informal
11 5.1

To meet a need exactly, especially hunger or thirst

in a tight spot
  • Informal
8 4.2

In a difficult situation that is hard to get out of

A small problem that causes worry and needs help

Compounds

37 1.0

A marked place to leave a car for a short time

soft spot
  • Informal
31 3.6

A strong liking for someone or something

24 2.7

A part that others can easily attack or use against someone

sweet spot
  • Informal
23 4.4

The best point where something works well

hot spot
  • Literature
11 5.6

A place where political unrest may lead to violence

9 3.7

A popular place where people go to have fun at night

9 3.7

A place where problems or fighting happen often

9 2.3

A place people visit for rest and fun

blind spot
  • Informal
8 5.3

An area a person does not notice or understand that causes bad decisions

5 4.5

Happening immediately at the place where something is happening

soft spot
  • Informal
5 4.4

A weak part of a person, thing, or system that can be easily harmed

4 4.8

A small brown patch on older people's skin caused by sun or aging

hot spot
  • Specialized
4 3.9

A part that is much hotter than the area around it

3 3.6

A short surprise test to see if work meets standards

2 1.5

A place that many people like to visit

spot market
  • Specialized
2 5.1

A place where people buy and sell things like oil or currency to be delivered right away

2 4.8

A small problem that causes some trouble

spot price
  • Specialized
2 6.4

Current price of things like oil or gold for immediate delivery

soft spot
  • Specialized
2 6.1

A soft area on a baby's head where the skull bones have not joined

gathering spot
  • Informal
1 2.5

A place where people meet regularly to talk and spend time together

blind spot
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A small area in the eye where the optic nerve enters and you cannot see

1 8.8

A die or domino face that shows one dot

1 8.1

A playing card with ten spots on its face

1 3.8

A place at the side of a road where cars can stop briefly

black spot
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A plant disease that makes small black spots on leaves and stems

black spot
  • Informal
1 5.3

An area people see as a weakness or cause of problems

cleanup spot
  • Jargon
1 6.7

A fourth batter in the batting order, usually the strong hitter who tries to make runners score

five-spot
  • Slang
1 7.8

A paper bill worth five dollars in the United States

1 8.1

A playing card, domino, or die with four dots on it

1 2.4

A place in an area that local people like to visit

1 4.3

The most interesting or memorable part of an event

hot spot
  • Texting
1 3.2

A place or device that gives wireless internet to nearby devices

1 2.3

A quiet place to sit and read, like by a window or in a park

spot welding
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A way to join metal sheets by melting small points with heat and pressure using electricity for example in cars

spot weld
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A small join that connects two metal pieces using heat and pressure

spot-weld
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A small metal join made by heating and pressing two pieces together at one point

A wider part of a road where cars can pull over

1 4.4

A place on a surface where the material is thin from being used a lot

beauty spot
  • Archaic
6.1

A small dark mark people put on their face to look fashionable

divey spot
  • Informal
9.9

A cheap, slightly shabby bar or restaurant liked for its relaxed, fun atmosphere

A playing card with eight small symbols on its face

7.7

A game piece like a card or die that shows five spots

9.9

A small California wildflower with white petals each showing a dark purple spot

halo spot
  • Specialized
9.4

A disease of bean leaves that makes pale spots with light rings

6.7

A playing card with nine small dots, like the nine of hearts

no-no spot
  • Informal
9.6

A place where something is not allowed

A decision made immediately with no planning

plague spot
  • Archaic
9.9

A dark, painful skin spot that shows a person has the plague

7.3

A very good place to be for a special reason, like a seat by a window

A playing card in a deck that shows seven dots

6.3

A card, domino or die face that shows six spots

spot jamming
  • Specialized
9.5

A deliberate block of one radio frequency to stop communications

4.9

A payment of money you give immediately when you buy something

spot pass
  • Jargon
5.7

A throw that aims the ball at a planned place for the receiver to catch

A person who joins metal sheets by using electricity to heat small points

A person who joins metal parts by heating small points to melt them together

spot-welding
  • Specialized
5.4

A way of joining metal pieces by making small hot spots that melt them together

A shady place to rest and stay cool

yellow spot fungus
  • Australian
8.4

A fungus that makes yellow spots on sugarcane leaves and harms the crop

A plant disease that causes yellow spots on leaves

yellow spot
  • Specialized
7.3

A small yellow area at the back of the eye that gives clear central vision

How Much

serving
104 1.0
spot
  • UK
41 2.4
sip
165 1.0
dab
7 3.1
drop
349 1.0

Surface Forms

spot singular
spots plural

Etymology

Spot once meant a little 'mark', and by extension it came to mean a small 'bit' of something, like a 'spot' of tea or sauce. That's why asking for a 'spot' of lunch means you want just a small amount.