beauty spot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, historical
Quick answer
What does “beauty spot” mean?
A small, dark, often round mark on the skin, considered an attractive feature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, dark, often round mark on the skin, considered an attractive feature; alternatively, a picturesque place of outstanding natural beauty.
Historically, an artificial patch (often of black silk or velvet) applied to the face to highlight complexion and follow fashion; a designated area of protected natural landscape.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings exist in both dialects, but the 'scenic place' sense is more common in UK usage, especially in official designations (e.g., 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'). The 'mole' sense is now somewhat archaic everywhere.
Connotations
In UK, 'beauty spot' as a place carries connotations of preservation and tourism. The mole sense can carry a slightly romantic, old-fashioned connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech. Higher frequency in UK travel literature and heritage contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “beauty spot” in a Sentence
[NP] is a beauty spotthe beauty spot of [NP]visit/see/protect [NP (beauty spot)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beauty spot” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Cotswolds are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, full of classic English beauty spots.
- In the 18th century, a lady might wear a beauty spot near her lip.
American English
- Yosemite Valley is more than a national park; it's a world-famous beauty spot.
- The old portrait showed a woman with a beauty spot on her cheek.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tourism/hospitality marketing: 'The hotel is situated near a renowned beauty spot.'
Academic
Used in historical studies of fashion or in geography/environmental studies discussing landscape preservation.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by older generations or in very specific regional contexts about a local view.
Technical
Used in UK planning and conservation (e.g., 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' is a legal designation).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “beauty spot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “beauty spot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beauty spot”
- Using it to mean 'spa' or 'wellness centre'.
- Using it to describe a beautiful person (e.g., 'She's a beauty spot').
- Overusing the mole sense in modern contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively low-frequency. It is used in specific contexts like tourism, heritage, or historical discussion.
Yes, but this meaning is now dated or literary. The modern neutral term is 'mole'. 'Beauty spot' suggests the mark is seen as attractive.
A 'scenic viewpoint' is a specific location designed for viewing. A 'beauty spot' is broader, referring to the whole attractive area itself, not just a vantage point.
'Beauty mark' is a synonym, but it is almost exclusively used for the mole sense, not for a scenic place. It is more common in American English.
A small, dark, often round mark on the skin, considered an attractive feature.
Beauty spot is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Beauty spot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbjuːti ˌspɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbjuti ˌspɑt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly, but related to] 'a blot on the landscape' (antonymic concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SPOT so beautiful it's called a BEAUTY SPOT – either a perfect mole on a supermodel's face or a perfect view in the countryside.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS A FEATURE ON THE BODY OF THE LAND. (The landscape has attractive 'marks' or 'spots').
Practice
Quiz
In a historical context, a 'beauty spot' most likely refers to: