Dot Meaning

UK /dɒt/
US /dɑːt/
Word Definition
dot meaning

Dot Definition & Usage

noun

A small, round mark or spot, typically one that is distinct from the surrounding surface.

Examples

  • "She placed a small dot in the center of the page to mark where the drawing should start."
  • "The teacher asked the students to draw a dot on the map to indicate the location of the city."
  • "He stared at the dot on the screen, trying to focus on the tiny detail."
  • "There was a dot of ink on the paper that had smudged the rest of the text."
  • "The artist added a dot of bright red to the canvas to bring focus to the center."
verb

To mark or decorate with small round marks.

Examples

  • "She dotted the 'i's with small hearts."
  • "The chef dotted the dessert with chocolate sauce."
  • "He carefully dotted the map with locations of historical importance."
  • "The artist dotted the canvas with paint to create a pointillist effect."
  • "I need to dot the 'j's before sending this email."
noun

A punctuation mark used in written language, especially in email addresses, URLs, and as part of file names ('.').

Examples

  • "Make sure to include a dot between the username and the domain in your email address."
  • "The website's URL contained a dot followed by 'com' at the end."
  • "The file was named 'document.dot' for easy identification."
  • "Can you send me the file with a dot between the numbers?"
  • "He mistyped the email, forgetting to include the dot after 'com'."

Cultural Context

The dot has cultural and technical significance, particularly in modern communication. It is part of punctuation marks used globally, appearing in addresses, URLs, and as a separator in many formats. In art, especially in the Pointillism movement, dots have been used to create larger images. In digital spaces, the dot signifies clarity, structure, and identity through its role in web addresses and email syntax.

The Dot on the Map

Story

The Dot on the Map

In the quiet town of Birchwood, a group of friends sat around a map, plotting their next great adventure. Claire had carefully marked the spot on the map with a tiny black dot. It seemed insignificant, just a small speck among the vast expanse of terrain, but to them, it was the beginning of something grand. As they gathered their supplies, Claire couldn't help but think about how often small, seemingly insignificant things changed the course of their lives. Her sister, Molly, smiled as she dotted her i's with little hearts, an old habit she had from school. 'It's not just a dot, Claire,' she said, 'it's where everything begins.' Claire nodded, staring at the dot. It wasn't just the start of their journey; it was the anchor that held them to a dream they'd shared for years. They had traced the route, dotted the landmarks, and now they were finally ready to embark. But as they packed the last of their things, Claire received an email. The address was almost perfect, but the dot between her username and the domain name was missing. She corrected it and smiled. Some dots, like the ones on the map, were too important to overlook. Others were simply marks of detail, but all dots, in their way, helped form the picture.

The Dot on the Map