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spotted

spotted

2 1.0
Having spots or patches of a different color
  • adjective
  • /ˈspɑːtɪd/
translation icon : manchado
  • When we were watching the Great Spotted Eagles, a very loud Crake was calling nearby.
  • spotted owl
  • spotted dog
  • spotted cat

Hey, everybody, I know you all want spotted owls flying around.

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Examples

  • Hey, everybody, I know you all want spotted owls flying around.

  • Well, we got one tiny little spotted bass on a tiny little minnow here.

  • Oh, man, I got a a little spotted bass, a little guy.

  • So you want to choose at least a semi spotted area.

  • I had a green one with a bright orange and black spotted tummy.

  • A Mexican Spotted Owl at the New Mexico Hummingbird Festival.

    Blog text (3)
  • The grass grows, the buds burst, the Meadow is spotted with fire and gold in the tint of flowers.

  • He is an excellent mimic and will give a good rendition of some other forest species, including the Spotted Catbird.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The Spotted Hyena is reputed to be a scavenger and actually feeds on carrion, subsisting largely on lion kills.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The dog has a beautiful coat that is spotted with patches of brown and white.

Synonyms

mottled
vsspotted
7 6.3

Covered with spots or patches of different colors

is narrower, focusing on simple spots or patches rather than streaks
blotchy
vsspotted
5 5.0

Having irregular patches of colour on the skin or other surfaces

is more neutral and may simply mean contrasting colour or texture
dappled
vsspotted
5 5.5

Having light and dark spots in an uneven pattern

is simpler, covering plain spots or patches without the patterned effect
variegated
vsspotted
5 7.2

Having patches or streaks of different colors

is more general, not emphasising a varied or decorative colour mix
spotty
vsspotted
4 1.4

Marked with small spots or patches of a different color

is the general description but may cover more specific patterns too
splotchy
vsspotted
3 5.6

A surface with uneven patches or spots

is more neutral, covering both even spots and simple patches
speckled
vsspotted
1 2.8

Covered with many small spots of a different color

focuses on spots or patches of different color or texture
bespeckled
vsspotted
1 7.1

Having small spots on the surface

allows both small marks and larger patches rather than only tiny spots
specked
vsspotted
3.2

Covered with many small spots like drops of paint

is broader, allowing larger patches as well as small dots
speckly
vsspotted
3.5

A surface with many small spots like dots on an egg or cloth

can also mean larger contrasting patches, not only fine specks
flecked
vsspotted
4.4

With small spots of a different color

is broader, including both flecks and larger patches or marks
patched
vsspotted
2.3

Shows areas of different color or material

includes both patching and also single small spots rather than only patches
blotched
vsspotted
6.7

Marked with irregular spots of a different color

is broader and can include neater spots or defined patches
splotched
vsspotted
6.1

Something that has uneven spots like stains

is less specific, also accepting regular or evenly distributed spots
flyspecked
vsspotted
7.2

Marked by many small dark spots left by flies

is general and can refer to spots from any cause, not just insects

Antonyms

1 6.3

Free of marks, stains, or faults

Compounds

6 7.6

A large North American owl with dark brown feathers and white spots on its chest that lives in old forests

1 9.1

A steamed British pudding that contains dried fruit and often comes with custard

Having yellow spots on its surface

A large flat sea animal in warm water with long pointed fins and white spots on its back

An illness caused by germs that gives you fever and a spotted skin rash

A dark small animal with yellow or orange spots that lives near ponds in North America

9.9

A small desert lizard from the United States and Mexico with long stripes and light spots

A European wild flower with long spotted leaves and pink or white flowers with dark spots

Having dark marks on the surface or skin

A medium-sized bird of prey with brown feathers and pale spots in Europe and Asia

A small black and white bird that pecks holes in trees

little spotted skunk
  • Specialized
7.9

A small skunk with black and white fur in a marbled pattern from the United States and Mexico

A white dog with brown spots instead of black

Having dark red spots

Having purple spots on its surface

red-spotted purple
  • Specialized
9.9

A butterfly from North America with red spots under its wings

A serious disease from germs spread by tick bites that causes fever and a rash

spotted bonytongue
  • Australian
9.9

A large freshwater fish from Australia with red or pink spots on its scales

A small plant with leafless stems that grows in North American forests and has white flowers with purple spots

A tall poisonous plant with purple-spotted stems and roots like small potatoes

9.9

A small brown water bird with spots that lives in swamps and marshes

A common wild geranium with deeply divided leaves and pink-purple flowers

A small spotted bird that follows army ants in Central and South American forests

spotted barramundi
  • Australian
9.9

Large Australian freshwater fish with red or pink spots on its scales

9.3

A large flying animal with dark fur, white spots, and very large ears from the southwestern United States

A freshwater fish with dark spots often found in North American rivers and lakes

A tall North American plant with leaves around the stem and clusters of purple-pink flowers

8.5

A wild cat with a short tail and dark spots on its fur from southern Europe

A flat sea fish with a dark back covered in white or yellow dots

A small wading bird with brown back and black spots on its white belly

A small brown bird that catches insects in the air

spotted gum
  • Australian
9.3

A large Australian tree with smooth spotted bark and strong wood

A tall plant with purple spots on its stems and very poisonous roots that grow in wet places

spotted hyena
  • South African
5.1

A large African animal that eats meat, has spots, and makes loud calls that sound like laughter

A medium-sized fish with dark spots that people catch for food and sport on southern United States coasts

7.4

A small animal from the United States and Mexico with black and white spotted fur

A silvery fish with dark spots that lives along the southern United States Atlantic and Gulf coasts

A small freshwater fish with dark spots that people catch for food or fun

A tall poisonous plant with purple-spotted stems that grows near water and whose roots are deadly if eaten

A fish with dark spots on its back and sides that lives near the US Gulf and southern Atlantic coasts

A small red beetle with one black spot on each wing cover

How Spotted

mottled
7 6.3
spotted
2 1.0
speckled
1 2.8
flecked
4.4
unspotted
1 6.3

Surface Forms

spotted positive

Morphology

spotted = spot (transparent) = spot + ed

The meaning follows directly from 'spot' + the adjectival/past-participial suffix '-ed' to mean 'having spots', which is clear to an average learner.

Etymology

Spotted comes from the simple word spot, meaning 'a small mark', plus the ending -ed that makes it 'having'. So spotted literally means 'having spots', which is why we use it for animals, clothes, or patterns that show marks or patches.