English noun: spotlight | |||
1. | spotlight (state) a focus of public attention | ||
Samples | He enjoyed being in the limelight. When Congress investigates it brings the full glare of publicity to the agency. | ||
Synonyms | glare, limelight, public eye | ||
Broader (hypernym) | prominence | ||
2. | spotlight (artifact) a lamp that produces a strong beam of light to illuminate a restricted area; used to focus attention of a stage performer | ||
Synonyms | spot | ||
Broader (hypernym) | lamp | ||
Member meronym | theater light | ||
English verb: spotlight | |||
1. | spotlight (change) move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent | ||
Samples | The introduction highlighted the speaker's distinguished career in linguistics. | ||
Synonyms | foreground, highlight, play up | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | bring out, set off | ||
Antonyms | background, play down, downplay | ||
2. | spotlight (change) illuminate with a spotlight, as in the theater | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | illume, illuminate, illumine, light, light up | ||