Words / B2

DOT/dɒt/

A dot is a small round mark; as a verb, to mark with dots: a dot on the map; dotted with. Point and spot are close twins; pixel is digital. Plot each data point as a dot on the scatter graph, showing the scale. Mix-up: dot vs tot; dote; the dot in an email address; do not write dot for a large shaded region on a choropleth.

Meaning

A small round mark; as a verb, to mark with dots (dotted with).

Examples

• “Plot each data point as a dot on the scatter graph, showing the scale.”
• “Villages dotted the valley on the OS extract, which is the verb sense — still name the grid squares.”

Good to know

a dot on; dotted with / along; the year of our Lord (not this headword). Close: point / spot. Trap: tot / dote. Maths, geography, and ICT. A small round mark, or to scatter like marks — show the scale.

Near in meaning

point, spot, speck

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