Plot vs. Lot: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 7, 2023
"Plot" can refer to a storyline or a piece of land, while "Lot" primarily denotes a parcel of land or a large quantity of items.
Key Differences
"Plot" and "Lot" both can refer to land, but they have diverse nuances and additional meanings. While a "Plot" might often indicate a specific, smaller piece of land, a "Lot" could refer to a designated piece of property, often in a subdivision or city.
Beyond land, "Plot" has a significant association with stories and narratives. When discussing literature, movies, or plays, the "Plot" refers to the sequence of events that constitute the main story. Conversely, "Lot" doesn't share this narrative connotation.
"Lot" also has a meaning tied to quantity or destiny. For example, in auctions or sales, items might be sold in "Lots" which means in groups or batches. Similarly, referring to one's "lot in life" speaks to their fate or destiny. "Plot" lacks these implications.
When discussing geography or land development, both "Plot" and "Lot" can be used interchangeably to some extent, but their specific connotations might differ based on regional usage or local real estate jargon.
In summary, while both "Plot" and "Lot" can denote areas of land, they diverge significantly in their additional meanings, with "Plot" leaning towards narratives and "Lot" to quantities or fate.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
A plan, map, diagram, or scheme
A parcel of land having fixed boundaries
Secondary Meaning
Sequence of events in a story
A group of similar or related items
Size Connotation
Often suggests a smaller piece of land
Can be any size, often used for larger parcels in subdivisions
Usage in Narratives
Refers to the main events or structure of a story
Does not pertain to story structure
Additional Connotations
Can indicate a conspiracy or scheme
Refers to fate or destiny ("one's lot in life")
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Plot and Lot Definitions
Plot
A piece of land for a specific purpose.
She bought a plot to build her dream home.
Lot
A large number or amount; a great deal.
She has a lot of books in her collection.
Plot
A plan made in secret by a group.
The detectives uncovered a plot to rob the bank.
Lot
An item or set of items for sale at an auction.
The next lot up for bidding is a collection of vintage stamps.
Plot
A graph showing the relation between two variables.
The scatter plot indicated a strong correlation between the variables.
Lot
One's fate or destiny.
It was his lot in life to travel and explore.
Plot
A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose
A garden plot.
Lot
A division of items for the purpose of distribution or classification.
Each lot of manufactured goods underwent quality testing.
Plot
A measured area of land; a lot.
Lot
A large extent, amount, or number
Is in a lot of trouble.
Has lots of friends.
Plot
A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
Lot
Used adverbially to mean "to a great degree or extent" or "frequently"
Felt a lot better.
Ran lots faster.
Doesn't go out a whole lot.
Has seen her lots lately.
Plot
See graph1.
Lot
A number of associated people or things
Placating an angry lot of tenants.
Kids who were a noisy lot.
Plot
The pattern or sequence of interrelated events in a work of fiction, as a novel or film.
Lot
Miscellaneous articles sold as one unit
A lot of stamps sold at an auction.
Plot
A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.
Lot
An individual of a particular kind or type
That dog is a contented lot.
Plot
To represent graphically, as on a chart
Plot a ship's course.
Lot
A piece of land having specific boundaries, especially one constituting a part of a city, town, or block.
Plot
To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates.
Lot
A piece of land used for a given purpose
A parking lot.
Plot
To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph.
Lot
The complete grounds of a film studio.
Plot
To write or develop the plot of
"I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read" (James Baldwin).
Lot
The outdoor area of a film studio.
Plot
To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously
Plot an assassination.
Lot
An object used in making a determination or choice at random
Casting lots to see who will go first.
Plot
To form or take part in a plot; scheme
Were plotting for months before the attack.
Lot
The use of objects in making a determination or choice at random
Chosen by lot.
Plot
To write or develop the plot for a work of fiction
A good mystery writer must plot well.
Lot
The determination or choice so made
The lot fell on the widow's only son.
Plot
(narratology) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Lot
One's fortune in life; one's fate
It was her lot to struggle for years in obscurity.
Plot
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Lot
To apportion by lots; allot.
Plot
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Lot
To divide (land) into lots.
Plot
A secret plan to achieve an end, the end or means usually being illegal or otherwise questionable.
The plot would have enabled them to get a majority on the board.
The assassination of Lincoln was part of a larger plot.
Lot
To divide (goods) into lots for sale.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Lot
A large quantity or number; a great deal.
To spend a lot of money
Lots of people think so
Plot
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Lot
A separate portion; a number of things taken collectively.
A lot of stationery
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Lot
One or more items auctioned or sold as a unit, separate from other items.
Plot
Attractive physical attributes of characters involved in a story, originating from ironic juxtaposition with the original meaning (course of the story).
I'm not sure what's happening in that show, I mainly watch it for the plot.
Lot
(informal) A number of people taken collectively.
A sorry lot
A bad lot
Plot
To conceive (a crime, misdeed etc).
They had plotted a robbery.
They were plotting against the king.
Lot
A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field.
A building lot in a city
Plot
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.
Lot
That which happens without human design or forethought.
Plot
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.
Lot
Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without human choice or will.
To cast lots
To draw lots
Plot
A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
Lot
The part, or fate, that falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without one's planning.
Plot
A plantation laid out.
Lot
A prize in a lottery.
Plot
A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc., drawn to a scale.
Lot
Allotment; lottery.
Plot
Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a complicated nature, adapted to the accomplishment of some purpose, usually a treacherous and mischievous one; a conspiracy; an intrigue; as, the Rye-house Plot.
I have overheard a plot of death.
O, think what anxious moments pass betweenThe birth of plots and their last fatal periods!
Lot
All members of a set; everything.
The table was loaded with food, but by evening there was nothing but crumbs; we had eaten the lot.
If I were in charge, I'd fire the lot of them.
Plot
A share in such a plot or scheme; a participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
And when Christ saith, Who marries the divorced commits adultery, it is to be understood, if he had any plot in the divorce.
Lot
(historic) An old unit of weight used in many European countries from the Middle Ages, often defined as 1/30 or 1/32 of a (local) pound.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Lot
To allot; to sort; to apportion.
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Lot
To count or reckon (on or upon).
Plot
In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
If the plot or intrigue must be natural, and such as springs from the subject, then the winding up of the plot must be a probable consequence of all that went before.
Lot
That which happens without human design or forethought; chance; accident; hazard; fortune; fate.
But save my life, which lot before your foot doth lay.
Plot
To make a plot, map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on a plan; to delineate.
This treatise plotteth down Cornwall as it now standeth.
Lot
Anything (as a die, pebble, ball, or slip of paper) used in determining a question by chance, or without man's choice or will; as, to cast or draw lots.
The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
If we draw lots, he speeds.
Plot
To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially against a government or those who administer it; to conspire.
The wicked plotteth against the just.
Lot
The part, or fate, which falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without his planning.
O visions ill foreseen! Each day's lot'sEnough to bear.
He was but born to tryThe lot of man - to suffer and to die.
Plot
To contrive a plan or stratagem; to scheme.
The prince did plot to be secretly gone.
Lot
A separate portion; a number of things taken collectively; all objects sold in a single purchase transaction; as, a lot of stationery; - colloquially, sometimes of people; as, a sorry lot; a bad lot.
I, this winter, met with a very large lot of English heads, chiefly of the reign of James I.
Plot
To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly.
Lot
A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field; as, a building lot in a city.
The defendants leased a house and lot in the city of New York.
Plot
A secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal);
They concocted a plot to discredit the governor
I saw through his little game from the start
Lot
A large quantity or number; a great deal; as, to spend a lot of money; to waste a lot of time on line; lots of people think so.
He wrote to her . . . he might be detained in London by a lot of business.
Plot
A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
A bean plot
A cabbage patch
A briar patch
Lot
A prize in a lottery.
Plot
The story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.;
The characters were well drawn but the plot was banal
Lot
To allot; to sort; to portion.
Plot
A chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
Lot
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Plot
Plan secretly, usually something illegal;
They plotted the overthrow fo the government
Lot
A parcel of land having fixed boundaries;
He bought a lot on the lake
Plot
Make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
Lot
Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
Plot
Make a plat of;
Plat the town
Lot
Any collection in its entirety;
She bought the whole caboodle
Plot
The main events or structure of a story.
The plot of the novel was thrilling and unpredictable.
Lot
An unofficial association of people or groups;
The smart set goes there
They were an angry lot
Plot
A small section in a cemetery.
He visited his grandmother's plot every year.
Lot
Anything (straws or pebbles etc.) taken or chosen at random;
The luck of the draw
They drew lots for it
Lot
(Old Testament) nephew of Abraham; God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but chose to spare Lot and his family who were told to flee without looking back at the destruction
Lot
Divide into lots, as of land, for example
Lot
Administer or bestow, as in small portions;
Administer critical remarks to everyone present
Dole out some money
Shell out pocket money for the children
Deal a blow to someone
Lot
A parcel of land having fixed boundaries.
They bought a lot in the new subdivision.
FAQs
Can "Plot" relate to a story?
Yes, "Plot" can refer to the sequence of events in a narrative.
Is "Lot" used in auctions?
Yes, "Lot" can refer to items grouped together for sale in auctions.
Does "Plot" suggest a smaller area than "Lot"?
While it can, it's not a strict rule, and context matters.
Can "Lot" refer to fate?
Yes, referring to one's "lot in life" speaks to their fate or destiny.
Is a "Plot" always a secretive plan?
No, while it can mean a secretive scheme, context is essential.
Do "Plot" and "Lot" both refer to land?
Yes, both can refer to specific pieces or parcels of land.
Can "Lot" be used in a religious context?
Yes, "Lot" can denote fate and is sometimes used in religious narratives.
Can "Lot" be informal when referring to quantity?
Yes, "a lot of" is an informal way to denote a large amount.
Does "Plot" have a conspiratorial connotation?
Yes, "Plot" can indicate a secret plan or scheme.
Can "Lot" suggest a large quantity?
Yes, "Lot" can denote a large number or amount of items.
Do both words have multiple meanings?
Yes, both "Plot" and "Lot" have diverse definitions depending on context.
Can "Plot" refer to graphs?
Yes, "Plot" can mean a graph showcasing the relationship between variables.
Is a "Lot" always a large piece of land?
Not always; the size implication varies by context.
Is a burial site referred to as a "Plot"?
Yes, a specific section in a cemetery can be called a "Plot."
Can a "Lot" refer to items grouped for testing?
Yes, a "Lot" can be a batch or group of items for classification or testing.
Do both "Plot" and "Lot" derive from Old English?
Both have old origins, with "Plot" possibly from Old English and "Lot" from Old Dutch or Old English.
In real estate, which is more specific, "Plot" or "Lot"?
It can vary by region, but often "Plot" might indicate a specific piece and "Lot" a designated property.
Does "Plot" always suggest a narrative structure?
No, but it's a primary meaning when discussing literature or films.
Are "Plot" and "Lot" always interchangeable?
No, especially when "Plot" relates to narratives or "Lot" refers to fate or large quantities.
Is "Plot" solely an English term?
While its primary usage is in English, its origins and variants exist in other languages.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
