Spotty: meaning, definitions and examples

Best used to describe something with irregular spots or a mixed quality that varies in effectiveness or performance. Often has a slightly negative connotation.

• The Wi-Fi connection is spotty in this area
• Her attendance record is spotty at best

Typically used to describe natural or gentle contrasts, such as sunlight filtering through trees causing light and dark patches. It often has a poetic or serene quality.

• The dappled sunlight created beautiful patterns on the forest floor
• A dappled horse grazed peacefully in the meadow

Commonly used for surfaces covered with small, often evenly distributed spots or flecks. It's often neutral or descriptive.

• She wore a speckled dress with tiny dots
• The bird laid speckled eggs in its nest

Refers to irregular, often large patches or spots, usually related to something messy or imperfect. Often carries a negative connotation.

• His face was splotchy after the allergic reaction
• There were splotchy paint marks on the floor

Used to describe something that is uneven or inconsistent in appearance, quality, or coverage, often in a negative sense.

• The paint job on the wall looked patchy and unfinished
• The mobile signal is patchy in rural areas

Better used to describe something that has small areas of imperfection or is marked irregularly.

• Her performance has been spotty this season.
• The network coverage here is quite spotty.

Used when something lacks uniformity or regularity, failing to be the same over time.

• Her attendance in class has been inconsistent.
• The results were too inconsistent to draw any conclusions.

Used to describe surfaces or conditions that are not level or equal; can also refer to performance that fluctuates.

• The road ahead is quite uneven, drive carefully.
• Her progress in learning French has been very uneven.

Describes behavior or actions that are unpredictable or inconsistent, often in a random or unexpected way.

• His driving was erratic, swerving between lanes.
• The stock market has been particularly erratic lately.

Describes something that is incomplete or has gaps, often physical patches or metaphorical areas of weakness.

• The grass on the lawn is patchy.
• The wifi signal in this area is really patchy.