a rounded mark or stain made by foreign matter, as mud, blood, paint, ink, etc.; a blot or speck.

something that mars one's character or reputation; blemish; flaw.

a small blemish, mole, or lesion on the skin or other surface.

a small, circumscribed mark caused by disease, allergic reaction, decay, etc.

a comparatively small, usually roundish, part of a surface differing from the rest in color, texture, character, etc.

a bald spot.

a place or locality

A monument marks the spot where Washington slept.

Usually, spots. places of entertainment or sightseeing interest

We went to a few spots to dance and see the floor shows.

spot announcement.

a specific position in a sequence or hierarchy

The choral group has the second spot on the program, right after the dancers. He moved up from second spot to become president of the firm.

Cards .

one of various traditional, geometric drawings of a club, diamond, heart, or spade on a playing card for indicating suit and value.

any playing card from a two through a ten

He drew a jack, a queen, and a three spot.

a pip, as on dice or dominoes.

Slang . a piece of paper money, almost always indicated as a five- or ten-dollar bill

Can you loan me a five spot until payday?

Also called spot illustration. a small drawing, usually black and white, appearing within or accompanying a text.

Chiefly British Informal .

a small quantity of anything.

a drink

a spot of tea.

a small croaker, Leiostomus xanthurus, of the eastern coast of the U.S., used as a food fish.

spots, Informal . commodities, as grain, wool, and soybeans, sold for immediate delivery.

spot price.

Informal . spotlight ( def. 1 ) .

to stain or mark with spots

The grease spotted my dress.

to remove a spot or spots from (clothing), esp. before dry cleaning.

to sully; blemish.

to mark or diversify with spots or dots, as of color

We spotted the wall with blue paint.

to detect or recognize; locate or identify by seeing

to spot a hiding child.

to place or position on a particular place

to spot a billiard ball.

to stop (a railroad car) at the exact place required.

to scatter in various places

to spot chairs here and there in the room.

Informal . spotlight ( def. 5 ) .

Military .

to determine (a location) precisely on either the ground or a map.

to observe (the results of gunfire at or near a target) for the purpose of correcting aim.

Photography . to remove spots from (a negative or print) by covering with opaque color.

Sports . to give or grant a certain margin or advantage to (an opponent)

He spotted the tyro 12 points a game. The champion won, although spotting the challenger twenty pounds.

(in gymnastics) to watch or assist (a performer) in order to prevent injury.

Slang . to lend

Can you spot me twenty for tonight's game?

to make a spot; cause a stain

Ink spots badly.

to become spotted, as some fabrics when spattered with water.

Military . to serve or act as a spotter.

Radio, Television .

pertaining to the point of origin of a local broadcast.

broadcast between announced programs.

made, paid, delivered, etc., at once

a spot sale; spot goods.

hit the high spots

Informal . to deal with or include only the major points of interest

With but a limited amount of vacation time, he concentrated on hitting the high spots of Europe.

hit the spot, Informal . to satisfy a want or need

as to quench thirst

Iced tea hits the spot during the hot summer months.

in a (bad) spot

in an uncomfortable or dangerous predicament

The tourists found themselves in a bad spot after they lost their money in Las Vegas.

knock spots off

British Slang . to outdo easily; beat.

on the spot

without delay; at once; instantly.

at the very place in question.

in a difficult or embarrassing position.

in a position of being expected to act or to respond in some way.