spotted

adjective

spot·​ted ˈspä-təd 

1

: marked with spots

2

: being sullied : tarnished

3

: characterized by the appearance of spots

Synonyms of spotted

• dotted

Examples of spotted in a Sentence

the spotted tablecloth clashed with the stripes on the wallpaper

not surprisingly, the white cow and black bull had a spotted calf

Recent Examples on the Web

Data from iNaturalist users helps track the migration of invasive species, like the spotted lanternfly. —David Pogue, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

The resulting hybrid has characteristics of both plants but with softer spines than agaves and the spotted patterns of manfreda plants. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

Ohio quarantined for spotted lanternfly. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2026

The spotted lanternfly, the emerald ash borer and other invasive insects whose numbers have jumped in recent years also shouldn’t be affected by the cold snap, said Cynthia Kwolek, an environmental scientist with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. —Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spotted

• northern spotted owl
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• spotted alfalfa aphid
• spotted cucumber beetle
• spotted fever
• spotted hyena
• spotted knapweed
• spotted lanternfly
• spotted owl
• spotted salamander
• spotted sea trout
• spotted turtle
• two-spotted spider mite

Rhymes for spotted

• blotted
• clotted
• dotted
• jotted
• knotted
• plotted
• potted
• rotted
• slotted
• squatted
• swatted
• trotted

Kids Definition

spotted

adjective

spot·​ted

ˈspät-əd

: marked with spots

a spotted cat