spottier; spottiest
2
: lacking uniformity especially in quality
the performance was spotty
also
: irregularly or sparsely distributed
spotty attendance
spotty data
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
In 2019, the jail lost power for eight days in the dead of winter, and in 2021, defense attorneys highlighted complaints of no water or hot food, spotty electricity and low staff levels.
—
John Annese, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
Most Popular Most Popular Federal agents are rounding up migrants in Florida, but specifics are spotty.
—Elainie Barraza, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025
The outside pass rush, in particular, gave the Bucs nothing, leaving a young and spotty secondary out to dry far too often.
—Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
If Congress capped rates at 10%, according to some industry observers, card companies would probably stop approving credit cards for anyone whose credit history is spotty or short.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
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John Annese, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
Most Popular Most Popular Federal agents are rounding up migrants in Florida, but specifics are spotty.
—Elainie Barraza, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2025
The outside pass rush, in particular, gave the Bucs nothing, leaving a young and spotty secondary out to dry far too often.
—Derrik Klassen, The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
If Congress capped rates at 10%, according to some industry observers, card companies would probably stop approving credit cards for anyone whose credit history is spotty or short.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spotty
Cite this Entry
“Spotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotty. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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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