spotty
UK: ˈspɒti | US: ˈspɑːti
adj. marked with spots; uneven or inconsistent in quality
adj. (of a person) having pimples or blemishes on the skin
The word "spotty" combines "spot" (from Old English splot, meaning a small mark or stain) with the suffix "-y," which forms adjectives indicating a characteristic. Originally describing physical markings (e.g., "a spotty leopard"), it later extended metaphorically to describe inconsistency ("spotty Wi-Fi") or skin blemishes. The evolution reflects a shift from literal visual patterns to abstract qualities.
The dog’s fur was spotty, with black dots on white.
His attendance at work has been spotty this month.
Teenagers often struggle with spotty skin during puberty.
The report’s data coverage was spotty, missing key regions.
We had spotty rain showers throughout the afternoon.