spotlight

SaySPOT-lytUS/ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/UK/ˈspɒtˌlaɪt/AUS/ˈspɔtˌlɑɪt/

Verbspotlights, spotlighting, spotlighted

7 meanings of spotlight

1
nouncountable
A strong lamp that sends a narrow beam of light onto one person or thing on a stage.
Like a flashlight pointed at just one person in a dark room.
The spotlight followed the singer across the stage.
Stagehands aimed a bright spotlight at the dancer during her solo.
Similarspot
Note
2
nounfiguratively
The position of getting the most attention from everyone at one time.
Like being the one person everyone in the room is looking at.
After the win, the young goalkeeper was suddenly in the spotlight.
She enjoys the spotlight whenever she sings at the school show.
Similarlimelight
Oppositeobscurity
3
verbfigurativelytransitive
To make people notice something by pointing attention at it.
Like shining a light on one thing so everyone looks at it.
The documentary spotlights the lives of factory workers.
We want to spotlight the work of local artists.
Similarhighlight, showcase, feature, emphasize, underline
Oppositedownplay, obscure
4
verbtransitive
To shine a strong, narrow beam of light on a person or thing.
Like aiming a flashlight straight at one thing so it stands out.
The crew spotlighted the lead singer during her solo.
Guards spotlight the courtyard whenever the alarm sounds.
Similarilluminate, light
Note
5
nouncountable
The round patch of bright light that a strong, focused lamp makes on a surface.
Like the bright ring a flashlight makes when you point it at a wall.
The dancer stepped into the spotlight at center stage.
A bright spotlight moved slowly across the dark floor.
Similarbeam
6
nouncountable
A part of a show or page that gives special attention to one thing.
Like a special page that shows off one thing at a time.
This week's spotlight features a local young writer.
The magazine runs an artist spotlight every month.
Similarfeature, showcase, profile
7
verbtransitive
To hunt animals at night by shining a bright light that freezes them in place.
Like how a bright light makes an animal stop and stare instead of running.
Poachers spotlight deer along the back roads after dark.
It is illegal to spotlight rabbits in this county.
Similarjacklight
Note

Practice

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Origin

Made from the two words "spot" and "light".