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to spot

to spot

585 2.1
To notice someone or something, especially when it is hard
  • verb
  • /spɑt/
: ver
  • When you enter the forest, try to spot any wildlife along the trail.
  • easy to spot
  • easily spot
  • able to spot

And once there, he spots her from a distance.

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Examples

  • See if you can spot which one is my house.

  • So, you know, you can start to spot some patterns here.

  • Hard to spot, but it's there.

  • A new pair of eyes may spot something that you have missed.

    Academic text (2011)
  • And once there, he spots her from a distance.

  • Harvey says he spotted you playing by the old service steps.

  • At least I know how to spot a phony.

  • Maybe she'll be able to spot something that I've missed.

  • Problem identification involves first spotting an area of difficulty for students.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The first tornado of the month was spotted near Shamrock, Texas, on 7 May.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

to recognize
vsto spot
  • US
∞ 1.4

To see or hear someone and know who they are

is sensory noticing, not primarily based on memory
to make out
vsto spot
116 4.6

To see, hear, or understand something when it is hard

is general noticing or identifying, not only succeeding in poor senses
to pinpoint
vsto spot
108 4.0

To find the exact place or cause of something

is general noticing, not necessarily involving precise location
to pick out
vsto spot
71 3.0

Notice a sound or sight among other things

is general noticing, not limited to choosing from a group
to discern
vsto spot
67 5.8

To notice something that is hard to see or hear

is general noticing rather than focused hard detection
to mark
vsto spot
67 3.3

Notice something and pay attention to it

is quicker perception rather than deliberate careful attention
to spy
vsto spot
36 3.1

To notice something suddenly or after looking for it

is simple noticing, not always unexpected or the result of search
to espy
vsto spot
  • Archaic
2 9.9

To see something partly or far away

is general noticing, not limited to partial or distant views
to descry
vsto spot
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To see a person or thing that is hard to notice

is general noticing, not only brief distant sightings

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

205 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

Idioms

131 2.8

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

spot on
  • UK
62 4.4

Exactly right about a fact or idea

to hit the spot
  • Informal
16 5.1

To meet a need exactly, especially hunger or thirst

in a tight spot
  • Informal
9 4.2

In a difficult situation that is hard to get out of

A small problem that causes worry and needs help

Phrasal Verbs

34 5.3

Force someone to answer or act without time to prepare when they feel uncomfortable

To check a few random items to make sure they meet standards

to spot jam
  • Specialized
1 9.1

To intentionally block a single radio or radar frequency using electronic signals

To give someone a higher job immediately without following normal steps

Compounds

39 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

sweet spot
  • Informal
27 4.4

The best point where something works well

26 2.7

A part that others can easily attack or use against someone

hot spot
  • Specialized
21 3.9

A part that is much hotter than the area around it

14 3.7

A popular place where people go to have fun at night

blind spot
  • Informal
11 5.3

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

10 2.3

A place people visit for rest and fun

hot spot
  • Literature
9 5.6

A place where political unrest may lead to violence

soft spot
  • Informal
9 4.4

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

7 3.7

A place where problems or fighting happen often

6 3.6

A short surprise test to see if work meets standards

6 1.5

A place that many people like to visit

5 4.5

Happening immediately at the place where something is happening

5 4.8

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

spot price
  • Specialized
3 6.4

Current price of things like oil or gold for immediate delivery

black spot
  • Informal
3 5.3

An area people see as a weakness or cause of problems

2 4.8

A small problem that causes some trouble

spot market
  • Specialized
2 5.1

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

hot spot
  • Texting
2 3.2

A place or device that gives wireless internet to nearby devices

soft spot
  • Specialized
2 6.1

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

gathering spot
  • Informal
2 2.5

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

2 2.4

A place in an area that local people like to visit

1 8.1

A playing card with ten spots on its face

1 4.3

The most interesting or memorable part of an event

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

blind spot
  • Specialized
1 4.8

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

1 3.8

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

spot weld
  • Specialized
1 5.6

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

1 4.4

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

five-spot
  • Slang
1 7.8

A paper bill worth five dollars in the United States

1 2.3

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

1 4.9

A payment of money you give immediately when you buy something

spot-welding
  • Specialized
1 5.4

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

spot-weld
  • Specialized
1 6.6

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

beauty spot
  • Archaic
1 6.1

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

1 6.0

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

cleanup spot
  • Jargon
1 6.7

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

A wider part of a road where cars can pull over

A decision made immediately with no planning

black spot
  • Specialized
1 6.5

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

1 7.3

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

1 8.8

A die or domino face that shows one dot

1 7.7

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

1 8.8

A playing card in a deck that shows seven dots

spot pass
  • Jargon
1 5.7

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

yellow spot
  • Specialized
1 7.3

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

1 9.9

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

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

8.1

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

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

plague spot
  • Archaic
9.9

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

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

A person who joins metal parts by heating small points to 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

How Clear

to identify
∞ 1.8
to detect
563 3.2
to spot
585 2.1
to see
∞ 1.0
to notice
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

spot infinitive
spotted past
spotted past participle
spotting present participle
spots third person singular

Etymology

Spot as a verb comes from the noun for a 'mark' that stands out, so to 'spot' something is to 'see' it like you see a mark among others. That's why to spot someone or something means to notice or identify it, often when it is hard to see.