spotty

Spotty is an English adjective describing something that is marked or covered with spots or specks, or has a spotted pattern such as polka dots. It can refer to a physical appearance, including a spotty coat on animals, a spotty complexion with blemishes, or a fabric designed with spots. In everyday language, spotty can describe a surface or object that features irregular patches of color or texture.

Beyond its literal sense, spotty is used figuratively to indicate unevenness or unreliability. Phrases such as spotty attendance, spotty service, or a spotty Wi-Fi signal convey that coverage, quality, or reliability is inconsistent or incomplete. The term is common in journalism and consumer discourse to summarize mixed results or irregular performance.

Etymology and history: spotty is formed from the noun spot plus the suffix -y, meaning “characterized by spots.” The combination is attested in English from the Early Modern period and has since broadened from a purely descriptive sense to include figurative uses.

In design and culture, spotty patterns are a well-established motif in fashion and textiles, most notably in polka-dot patterns. The word is also used in medical or cosmetic contexts to describe skin that bears multiple blemishes or outbreaks, though such usage is colloquial rather than clinical.

See also: speckled, spotted, polka dot.