spottier; spottiest
2
: lacking uniformity especially in quality
the performance was spotty
also
: irregularly or sparsely distributed
spotty attendance
spotty data
Synonyms
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
That is especially true in Gaza, where foreign journalists are barred from entering unescorted by the Israel Defense Forces, connectivity is spotty at best, and more than 1.7 million people have been displaced from their homes.
—
Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 1 June 2024
After a spotty first period during which the Rangers took a 1-0 lead on Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal from the high slot, the Panthers came to life in the second period.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024
And the way remote train accidents are reported to the federal government can be spotty.
—Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 27 May 2024
The cause was lymphoblastic leukemia, his niece Theresa M. Leonardi said.
Rubella, also known as German measles because German scientists classified it in the 19th century, is a moderate illness for most patients, identified by a spotty and often itchy red rash.
—Sam Roberts, New York Times, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for spotty 
Ariel Shapiro, The Verge, 1 June 2024
After a spotty first period during which the Rangers took a 1-0 lead on Vincent Trocheck’s power-play goal from the high slot, the Panthers came to life in the second period.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024
And the way remote train accidents are reported to the federal government can be spotty.
—Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 27 May 2024
The cause was lymphoblastic leukemia, his niece Theresa M. Leonardi said.
Rubella, also known as German measles because German scientists classified it in the 19th century, is a moderate illness for most patients, identified by a spotty and often itchy red rash.
—Sam Roberts, New York Times, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for spotty
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spotty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near spotty
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotty. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spotty
adjective
spot·ty
ˈspät-ē 
spottier; spottiest
1
: having spots
2
: not always the same especially in quality
your work has been spotty
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