Meaning & use
a divot
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“a divot” is a form of “divot”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountablesport
A small piece of grass and soil that is dug up by a golf club or a horse's hoof.
Grammar: Countable; you can say 'a divot' or 'divots'. Often used with verbs like 'take' or 'replace'.
Patterns
- take a divot
- replace a divot
- a divot of grass
The golfer took a large divot with his iron shot.
After the horse galloped across the field, the ground was full of divots.
He carefully replaced the divot and pressed it down with his foot.
nouncountablesport
A small dent or hollow left in the ground where a piece of turf has been removed.
Grammar: Refers to the hole or depression, not the piece of turf itself.
Patterns
- leave a divot
- fill a divot
- a divot in the ground
The fairway was dotted with divots from previous players.
She filled the divot with sand to level the ground.
The horse's hooves left deep divots in the soft earth.
Word forms
| plural | divots |
|---|
Common combinations
- take a divot
- Be careful not to take a divot on the practice swing.
- replace a divot
- Golfers are expected to replace their divots.
- fill a divot
- The groundskeeper filled the divots with sand.
- leave a divot
- The heavy machinery left divots all over the lawn.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: a divot or divot?
a divot vs divot
Divot is not a standard English word; the correct term is divot.
Practice
After hitting the ball, the golfer bent down to ___ the divot.
Choose one answer.
Golfers typically replace divots to repair the course. 'Remove' would mean taking it away, which is not the usual practice; 'throw' and 'burn' are not appropriate actions for a divot.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a divot”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.