German word

Spott

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃpɔt/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmockery

Example

Er wurde zum Spott der Klasse.

He became the object of the class's mockery.

Illustration for Spott (mockery)

More examples

Sie lachte aus Spott über seine Idee.

She laughed mockingly at his idea.

Core concept

A person becomes the target of laughter, mocking words, or gestures meant to make that person look ridiculous.

Common phrases

  • zum Spott werden

    become a laughingstock

  • jemanden zum Spott machen

    make someone a laughingstock

  • Spott und Hohn

    mockery and derision

Similar words

Hohn: Mockery that openly shows contempt for its target.
Sarkasmus: A sarcastic remark that criticizes or ridicules someone indirectly.
Ironie: Words that convey a meaning opposite to their literal wording.
Verspottung: A humiliating act or situation in which someone is made fun of.

Definition in German

Spott ist das Lächerlichmachen einer Person durch Worte oder Mimik, oft mit verletzender Absicht.

Word origin

Spott comes from Middle High German spot and is related to the verb spotten, meaning to mock or ridicule.

Usage tips

  • Spott is masculine, so the definite article is der, as in der Spott; the genitive form is des Spotts.

Other meanings

  • ridiculenoun
  • derisionnoun
  • scornnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • spöttischmockingadjective
  • spöttelnmockverb
  • Spöttermockernoun

Word lists with this word