spotlight

English

Etymology

From spot +‎ light.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈspɒtˌlaɪt/
  • (US, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈspɑtˌlaɪt/
    • Audio (US):(file)
  • (General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈspɔtˌlɑɪt/
  • Hyphenation: spot‧light

Noun

spotlight (plural spotlights)

  1. A bright, directional light or lamp, especially one used to illuminate the focus or center of attention on a stage.
  2. (by extension) The circle of light shed by a spotlight.
  3. (figurative) The center of attention; the highlight or most important part.
    Some people enjoy the spotlight.

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Translations

Verb

spotlight (third-person singular simple present spotlights, present participle spotlighting, simple past and past participle spotlighted or spotlit)

  1. (transitive) To illuminate with a spotlight.
    We spotlight the star, but the supporting cast has all the great lines in this scene.
    • 1984 April 14, Michael Bronski, “Sophistication and Verve”, in Gay Community News, page 18:
      The first act of Me & Julie presents Mr. Short in a black tie at his piano, beneath a golden arched proscenium, spotlighted on an otherwise dark stage.
  2. (transitive, figurative) To draw attention to.
    The news series served to spotlight corruption.
  3. Synonym of jacklight (“to use a spotlight in hunting animals”).

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Anagrams

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