spotty

adjective

spot·​ty ˈspä-tē How to pronounce spotty (audio)
spottier; spottiest
Synonyms of spottynext
1
: marked with spots : spotted
2
: lacking uniformity especially in quality
the performance was spotty
also : irregularly or sparsely distributed
spotty attendance
spotty data
spottily
ˈspä-tə-lē How to pronounce spotty (audio)
adverb
spottiness
ˈspä-tē-nəs How to pronounce spotty (audio)
noun

Synonyms of spotty

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Examples of spotty in a Sentence

Her work has been spotty. The service at that restaurant is a little spotty. students with spotty attendance records
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This has led to spotty service and long wait times across the region. — Ilana Arougheti july 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Only spotty showers and storms are expected, about 20% over the next couple days. — Howard Cohen july 29, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 However, service is spotty, with dirty dishes sitting on the table for well over 15 minutes after the main course. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The public-health messaging from Kennedy’s agencies has been so garbled and spotty that your average grocery shopper may not know how to respond at all. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for spotty

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spotty was in the 14th century

Rhymes for spotty

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Browse Nearby Words

spottle
spotty
spot up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotty. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spotty

adjective
spot·​ty ˈspät-ē How to pronounce spotty (audio)
spottier; spottiest
1
: having spots
2
: not always the same especially in quality
your work has been spotty
spottily
ˈspät-ᵊl-ē How to pronounce spotty (audio)
adverb
spottiness
ˈspät-ē-nəs How to pronounce spotty (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spotty

Nglish: Translation of spotty for Spanish Speakers

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