Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

lesser spotted

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.86 in modern English

Syllables
lesser spot-ted
IPA
16
Scrabble Score
13
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Part of the name of some (often fictional) species of animal, used as a placeholder for some obscure or rare species that is of little interest or importance.

Humorous

adj

Rare or remarkable.

Humorous

adj

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lesser, spotted.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From the names of certain species of bird, such as the lesser spotted woodpecker, and the humorous idea that, on account of the complicated name, these species must be rare or obscure. In such names, "lesser spotted" means that the bird has a spotted plumage, and that it is smaller ("lesser") than others of its kind. The popular idea that "lesser spotted" means "seen (spotted) less often" is a misunderstanding of the origin of the phrase, or a play on words.

Usage

Inflected Forms

lesser-spotted (alternative)

Questions

What does lesser spotted mean?
Part of the name of some (often fictional) species of animal, used as a placeholder for some obscure or rare species that is of little interest or importance.
Where does lesser spotted come from?
From the names of certain species of bird, such as the lesser spotted woodpecker, and the humorous idea that, on account of the complicated name, these species must be rare or obscure. In such names, "lesser spotted" means that the bird has a spotted plumage, and that it is smaller ("lesser") than others of its kind. The popular idea that "lesser spotted" means "seen (spotted) less often" is a misunderstanding of the origin of the phrase, or a play on words.

How to pronounce lesser spotted

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “lesser spotted”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “lesser spotted”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “lesser spotted” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.