spotlight
/ˈspɒtlaɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspɑːtlaɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspät-ˌlīt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈspɒt.laɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspɑːt.laɪt/ (ame, ipa)
spotlight — noun
1. a lamp that directs a narrow circle of light at one spot, or the bright patch th
a lamp that directs a narrow circle of light at one spot, or the bright patch that such a lamp makes on a surface
Yael aimed the spotlight at the lead singer's face.
aim a spotlight at [person/object]
Tendai adjusted the spotlight until the painting was fully lit.
A single spotlight followed the dancer across the stage.
Mizuki turned off all the lights except for one small spotlight.
Maeve bought a portable spotlight for her photography studio.
- lamp
a more general term for any device that produces light
- floodlight
a wide-beam light used for large areas, unlike the narrow beam of a spotlight
- searchlight
a powerful spotlight that can sweep across a large area, often used outdoors
用法筆記
Distinguish from a floodlight: a spotlight produces a narrow, focused beam, while a floodlight covers a wide area. The word can refer to either the lamp itself or the circle of light it produces.
常見錯誤
2. the state of being watched or noticed by many people, especially in newspapers,
the state of being watched or noticed by many people, especially in newspapers, on television, or on social media
Shirin prefers to stay out of the spotlight and work quietly.
stay out of the spotlight
Devika enjoyed being in the spotlight during the awards ceremony.
Minh was not prepared for the intense media spotlight after the film.
Zuri's talent brought her into the spotlight at a very young age.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrases 'in the spotlight' (being publicly noticed), 'into the spotlight' (entering public notice), or 'out of the spotlight' (avoiding public notice). 'Media spotlight' is a common collocation referring to news coverage.
常見錯誤
spotlight — verb
1. to shine a narrow, strong beam of light on a person or object, especially on a s
to shine a narrow, strong beam of light on a person or object, especially on a stage or in a display
Spotlight the sculpture from below to create dramatic shadows.
imperative form: Spotlight [noun] [preposition] [location]
The lead dancer was spotlit by a single beam during the performance.
passive: was spotlit by [agent]
The gallery owner spotlighted each sculpture for the evening show.
A technician spotlighted the magician's hands during the trick.
- illuminate
a more formal word for making something visible with light
- light up
less specific about the type of light source; used in everyday speech
- darken
to make something dark or remove light from it
文法句型
spotlight [noun] with [noun]
spotlight [noun]
用法筆記
The past tense can be either 'spotlighted' or 'spotlit'. Both forms are accepted in modern English, though 'spotlighted' is more common in British English and 'spotlit' appears more often in literary or descriptive writing.
常見錯誤
2. to make people pay special attention to a situation, problem, or issue, usually
to make people pay special attention to a situation, problem, or issue, usually through news reports, articles, or public discussion
The documentary spotlighted the problem of plastic waste.
spotlight a problem / issue / situation
Ishaan's article spotlighted the struggles of small farmers.
The report spotlighted the need for better public transport.
A viral video spotlighted the unfair conditions at the factory.
- highlight
the most common synonym; slightly less dramatic in tone than 'spotlight'
- draw attention to
a phrasal alternative that works in both formal and informal contexts
- emphasize
suggests stressing the importance of something rather than just making it visible
文法句型
spotlight [noun]
用法筆記
Common in journalism and formal writing. The object is typically a situation, problem, issue, need, or condition — less often a person. Unlike the noun sense, this verb form takes a direct object without a preposition.