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.
    • 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.
    We spotlight the star, but the supporting cast has all the great lines in this scene.
  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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