jot

Jot is an English term with several related uses. As a verb, it means to write something down quickly and briefly, typically as a note or reminder. As a noun, jot can refer to a very small amount or to a small mark or stroke, conveying the sense of something minor or insignificant.

Etymology and related meanings are intertwined with its sense of a tiny mark. The phrase jot and tittle, drawn from biblical translations, evokes the smallest possible elements of writing: a jot (the iota, the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet) and a tittle (a small distinguishing stroke). In modern usage, jot often signals a brief, provisional note rather than a full entry.

Usage and examples are common in everyday writing. People say “to jot something down” to indicate quick recording, and phrases such as “not a jot” emphasize the lack of any amount or impact. The expression “not a jot nor a tittle” is a well-known, though formal, reference to meticulous completeness, originating in biblical text.

As a proper noun, Jot has also been used as a brand or product name by various companies. Because it is a short, memorable word, multiple unrelated products and services have adopted the name, so there is no single canonical entity associated with it.

See also: not a jot; jot and tittle; iota.