blotch
A large, irregular mark or spot on a surface, such as skin, paper, or fabric, often differing in color from the surrounding area. It typically suggests an accidental stain, a medical condition, or a natural pattern in biology.
Examples
3 of 5I spilled some coffee on my notes, leaving a large brown blotch right in the middle of the page.
I spilled some coffee on my notes, leaving a large brown mark right in the middle of the page.
The patient presented with a distinctive purple blotch on the left forearm, suggesting a subcutaneous hemorrhage.
The patient showed a distinctive purple mark on the left forearm, suggesting bleeding under the skin.
Check out this weird blotch on my leg; I think I might be allergic to those plants we walked through.
Look at this strange spot on my leg; I think I might be allergic to those plants we walked through.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'blot' of ink that 'stretched' out into an irregular 'blotch'.
Quick Quiz
The old map was difficult to read because a large water _______ had faded the ink in the corner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blotch
Examples
I spilled some coffee on my notes, leaving a large brown blotch right in the middle of the page.
everydayI spilled some coffee on my notes, leaving a large brown mark right in the middle of the page.
The patient presented with a distinctive purple blotch on the left forearm, suggesting a subcutaneous hemorrhage.
formalThe patient showed a distinctive purple mark on the left forearm, suggesting bleeding under the skin.
Check out this weird blotch on my leg; I think I might be allergic to those plants we walked through.
informalLook at this strange spot on my leg; I think I might be allergic to those plants we walked through.
In this species of lizard, the dorsal blotch serves as a form of camouflage against the rocky terrain.
academicIn this species of lizard, the back marking serves as a form of camouflage against the rocky terrain.
We cannot distribute these brochures because there is a noticeable ink blotch on the company logo.
businessWe cannot distribute these brochures because there is a noticeable ink stain on the company logo.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
blotches of light
irregular patches of light filtering through a surface
a blotch on the skin
a common way to describe a localized skin irritation
blotches of damp
stains on walls caused by moisture
Often Confused With
A 'blot' is usually smaller and more circular (like an ink blot), while a 'blotch' is larger and more irregular in shape.
A 'blotch' is a physical mark, whereas 'botch' is a verb meaning to do a task badly or clumsily.
Usage Notes
Use 'blotch' when describing something that looks messy, diseased, or accidental. It is more common in medical contexts or when describing natural patterns in animals than for intentional art.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'blotch' to describe a small, neat dot; however, the word implies a larger, uneven, and often unsightly area.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'blot' of ink that 'stretched' out into an irregular 'blotch'.
Word Origin
Originating in the early 17th century, it is likely a combination of the words 'blot' and 'botch'.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The old map was difficult to read because a large water _______ had faded the ink in the corner.
Correct!
The correct answer is: blotch
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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