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# spotlight

noun (a spotlight, spotlights; the spotlight); verb (spotlight, spotlights, spotlighted or spotlit, spotlighting)

«spotlight» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A spotlight is a strong lamp that shines a narrow, bright beam onto one person or area, especially on a stage. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#m1)
2. «In the spotlight» means getting a lot of attention from people or the news. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#m2)
3. (verb) To spotlight something means to shine a light on it or to draw special attention to it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#m3)

### In the lessons

In drama and the school play, the spotlight shows the audience where to look. In science, a spotlight is an example of light travelling in straight lines and making a bright circle. In everyday life and the news, someone «in the spotlight» is being watched and talked about, which can feel exciting or stressful. Phrases: «in the spotlight», «steal the spotlight», «shine the spotlight on», «out of the spotlight».

### Examples

- The spotlight followed Mia as she sang her solo. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x1)
- The caretaker fixed the broken spotlight in the hall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x2)
- After winning the spelling bee, Sam was in the spotlight all week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x3)
- The dog ran onto the stage and stole the spotlight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x4)
- Our assembly spotlighted pupils who help others. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x5)
- The famous singer wanted a quiet life out of the spotlight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x6)
- We used a torch as a spotlight for our shadow puppets. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/#x7)

### Note

Countable noun: a spotlight, two spotlights; «the spotlight» for public attention. Past of the verb: «spotlighted» or «spotlit». It is one word, not «spot light».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «spotlight» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spotlight/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«spotlight» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spotlight.html) on Mova free.