Dot — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb abbreviation /ˈdät/ (noun) /ˈdȯt/ (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Dot

Dot (noun)

  1. a small spot, speck
  2. a small round mark
  3. a small point made with a pointed instrument
  4. dowry

Dot (verb)

  1. to mark with a dot
  2. to intersperse with dots or objects scattered at random
  3. to make a dot

Dot (abbreviation)

  1. Department of Transportation

Dot (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a small area that is different (as in color) from the main part

    "there was just a dot on the tablecloth where the food had spattered"

    similar: blotch, dapple, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip, point, speck, speckle, splotch, spot
    related: birthmark, freckle, mole, blob, blot, mark, smear, smudge, smutch, stain, spatter, splash, polka dot

Dot (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cover by or as if by scattering something over or on

    "a hillside dotted with wildflowers"

    similar: bestrew, pepper, scatter, sow, spot, spray, sprinkle, strew
    related: blanket, drizzle, dust, stud, dapple, fleck, speckle, stipple, bespatter, spatter

  2. to mark with small spots especially unevenly

    "the practice of some chefs of positioning a small portion of food in the center and dotting the rest of the plate with sauce"

    similar: blotch, dapple, fleck, freckle, marble, mottle, pepper, shoot, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, sprinkle, stipple
    related: blot, dye, stain, band, bar, streak, stripe, intersperse, set, stud, bespatter, spatter

Related Entry: Polka dot (noun)

Polka dot is a different word from Dot. The synonyms below are for polka dot, not for dot.

  1. as in smutch, spot

    similar: blotch, dapple, dot, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip, point, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, blob, blot, mark, smear, smudge, smutch, stain, birthmark, freckle, mole, spatter, splash

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Dot

The most common words with a similar meaning to Dot:

blotch, dapple, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip, point, speck, speckle, splotch, spot, bestrew, pepper, scatter, sow, spray, sprinkle, strew, freckle, marble, shoot, stipple

Related Words for Dot

birthmark, mole, blob, blot, mark, smear, smudge, smutch, stain, spatter, splash, polka dot, blanket, drizzle, dust, stud, bespatter, dye, band, bar, streak, stripe, intersperse, set

Word Forms of Dot

Inflections: dotted, dotting

Derived words: dotter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Dot

Middle English *dot, from Old English dott head of a boil; akin to Old High German tutta nipple

First known use: 1596

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Dot

Words & Phrases Containing Dot

dot-com, dot-commer, dot matrix, dot product, polka dot, quantum dot

Frequently Asked Questions about Dot

What does "Dot" mean?

"Dot" means a small spot, speck. As an a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: a small spot, speck. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Dot"?

Other words for "Dot" include blotch, dapple, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip and point. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Dot" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Dot"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Dot". Common alternatives include blotch, dapple, eyespot, fleck, mottle, patch, pip, point, speck and speckle.

How do you use "Dot" in a sentence?

Examples of "Dot" in a sentence: "there was just a dot on the tablecloth where the food had spattered"; "a hillside dotted with wildflowers"; "the practice of some chefs of positioning a small portion of food in the center and dotting the rest of the plate with sauce".

Is "Dot" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Dot" can be used as a noun, a verb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "Dot" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Dot" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Dot"?

"Dot" is pronounced /ˈdät/ as a noun and /ˈdȯt/ as a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Dot"?

"Dot" comes from Middle English *dot, from Old English dott head of a boil; akin to Old High German tutta nipple. First known use: 1596.