Plot vs. Lot — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A plot is a plan, sequence of events, or piece of land, while a lot typically refers to a unit of goods or a parcel of land. They both can refer to land but differ in context and usage.
Difference Between Plot and Lot
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Plot is a versatile term in English, used to describe a storyline in literature or film, or a piece of land for a specific purpose. Lot, in a similar vein, often refers to a parcel of land, but it can also denote a collection of items up for sale or a fate or destiny.
In literature, when we talk about the plot, we are referring to the sequence of events and the structure of a story. This sequence helps drive the narrative forward, creating suspense, tension, and emotional connection. Lot, on the other hand, doesn't have this literary application but can represent a group of items, as in auction lots.
In the context of real estate or land, both plot and lot can be used, but they carry different nuances. A plot is typically a measured piece of land that has a specific purpose, like building a house or farming. A lot is often a distinct property parcel, usually within a larger subdivision or development.
Further, plot can be used in various other contexts, such as plotting a graph in mathematics or planning something secretive. Lot, apart from the aforementioned meanings, can be used in a more philosophical or religious sense to denote one's fate or destiny, as in "one's lot in life."
Plot and lot both exhibit flexibility in the English language, but their usage depends on the context. Whether discussing a story's structure or a piece of land, it's essential to discern which word fits best in the given situation.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Plan, sequence of events, or land piece
Unit of goods or land parcel
Contextual Usage
Often used in literature or film
Common in real estate or auctions
Scope in Real Estate
Specific land purpose
Usually a land piece within a subdivision
Secondary Meanings
Can mean planning something
Can denote fate or destiny
Usage in Religion/Philosophy
Not commonly used in this context
Refers to one's destiny, as in "lot in life"
Compare with Definitions
Plot
A sequence of events in a story or drama.
The movie had a captivating plot full of unexpected twists.
Lot
A collection of goods for sale as a unit.
The auction included a lot of antique vases.
Plot
The act of marking or laying out something.
He made a plot of the city's main attractions.
Lot
A large number or amount.
She has a lot of friends in the city.
Plot
A plan made in secret by a group of people to do something illegal or harmful
There's a plot to overthrow the government
Lot
A large number or amount; a great deal
We had lots of fun
A lot can happen in eight months
They took a lot of abuse
There are a lot of actors in the cast
Plot
The main events of a play, novel, film, or similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an interrelated sequence
The plot consists almost entirely of a man and woman falling in love
He outlined his idea for a movie plot
Lot
A great deal; much
Thanks a lot
He played tennis a lot last year
Plot
A small piece of ground marked out for a purpose such as building or gardening
A vegetable plot
Lot
A river of southern France, which rises in the Auvergne and flows 480 km (300 miles) west to meet the River Garonne south-east of Bordeaux.
Plot
A graph showing the relation between two variables.
Lot
(in the Bible) the nephew of Abraham, who was allowed to escape from the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 19). His wife, who disobeyed orders and looked back, was turned into a pillar of salt.
Plot
Secretly make plans to carry out (an illegal or harmful action)
The two men are serving sentences for plotting a bomb campaign
Brother plots against brother
Lot
Divide (items) into lots for sale at an auction
The contents have already been lotted up, and the auction takes place on Monday
Plot
Devise the sequence of events in (a play, novel, film, or similar work)
In a crime story you have to plot carefully to achieve the surprise at the end
She would plot a chapter as she drove
Lot
A large extent, amount, or number
Is in a lot of trouble.
Has lots of friends.
Plot
Mark (a route or position) on a chart
He started to plot lines of ancient sites
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
A small piece of ground, generally used for a specific purpose
A garden plot.
Lot
A number of associated people or things
Placating an angry lot of tenants.
Kids who were a noisy lot.
Plot
A measured area of land; a lot.
Lot
Miscellaneous articles sold as one unit
A lot of stamps sold at an auction.
Plot
A ground plan, as for a building; a diagram.
Lot
An individual of a particular kind or type
That dog is a contented lot.
Plot
See graph1.
Lot
A piece of land having specific boundaries, especially one constituting a part of a city, town, or block.
Plot
The pattern or sequence of interrelated events in a work of fiction, as a novel or film.
Lot
A piece of land used for a given purpose
A parking lot.
Plot
A secret plan to accomplish a hostile or illegal purpose; a scheme.
Lot
The complete grounds of a film studio.
Plot
To represent graphically, as on a chart
Plot a ship's course.
Lot
The outdoor area of a film studio.
Plot
To locate (points or other figures) on a graph by means of coordinates.
Lot
An object used in making a determination or choice at random
Casting lots to see who will go first.
Plot
To draw (a curve) connecting points on a graph.
Lot
The use of objects in making a determination or choice at random
Chosen by lot.
Plot
To write or develop the plot of
"I began plotting novels at about the time I learned to read" (James Baldwin).
Lot
The determination or choice so made
The lot fell on the widow's only son.
Plot
To form a plot for; prearrange secretly or deviously
Plot an assassination.
Lot
One's fortune in life; one's fate
It was her lot to struggle for years in obscurity.
Plot
To form or take part in a plot; scheme
Were plotting for months before the attack.
Lot
To apportion by lots; allot.
Plot
To write or develop the plot for a work of fiction
A good mystery writer must plot well.
Lot
To divide (land) into lots.
Plot
(narratology) The course of a story, comprising a series of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
Lot
To divide (goods) into lots for sale.
Plot
An area or land used for building on or planting on.
Lot
A large quantity or number; a great deal.
To spend a lot of money
Lots of people think so
Plot
A graph or diagram drawn by hand or produced by a mechanical or electronic device.
Lot
A separate portion; a number of things taken collectively.
A lot of stationery
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
One or more items auctioned or sold as a unit, separate from other items.
Plot
Contrivance; deep reach thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
Lot
(informal) A number of people taken collectively.
A sorry lot
A bad lot
Plot
Participation in any stratagem or conspiracy.
Lot
A distinct portion or plot of land, usually smaller than a field.
A building lot in a city
Plot
A plan; a purpose.
Lot
That which happens without human design or forethought.
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
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
To conceive (a crime, misdeed etc).
They had plotted a robbery.
They were plotting against the king.
Lot
The part, or fate, that falls to one, as it were, by chance, or without one's planning.
Plot
(transitive) To trace out (a graph or diagram).
They plotted the number of edits per day.
Lot
A prize in a lottery.
Plot
(transitive) To mark (a point on a graph, chart, etc).
Every five minutes they plotted their position.
Lot
Allotment; lottery.
Plot
A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
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 plantation laid out.
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
A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc., drawn to a scale.
Lot
To allot; to sort; to apportion.
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
To count or reckon (on or upon).
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
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
Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or intrigue.
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
A plan; a purpose.
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
To contrive a plan or stratagem; to scheme.
The prince did plot to be secretly gone.
Lot
A prize in a lottery.
Plot
To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly.
Lot
To allot; to sort; to portion.
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
(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
A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
A bean plot
A cabbage patch
A briar patch
Lot
A parcel of land having fixed boundaries;
He bought a lot on the lake
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
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
A chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
Lot
Any collection in its entirety;
She bought the whole caboodle
Plot
Plan secretly, usually something illegal;
They plotted the overthrow fo the government
Lot
An unofficial association of people or groups;
The smart set goes there
They were an angry lot
Plot
Make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed
Lot
Anything (straws or pebbles etc.) taken or chosen at random;
The luck of the draw
They drew lots for it
Plot
Make a plat of;
Plat the town
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
Plot
A small piece of ground, typically for a specific purpose.
He bought a small plot of land to start his garden.
Lot
Divide into lots, as of land, for example
Plot
A plan or scheme to accomplish something.
The thieves hatched a plot to rob the bank.
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 specific boundaries.
They built their home on a spacious lot.
Lot
A person's fate or destiny.
It was her lot in life to help others.
Lot
A set of similar items grouped together.
We received a new lot of laptops for sale.
Common Curiosities
How is Lot commonly used in the context of land?
Lot usually denotes a parcel of land, often within a subdivision.
Is a Plot always a piece of land?
No, it can also refer to a storyline or a plan.
What does Plot primarily refer to?
Plot can refer to a storyline in literature/film or a piece of land.
Can Lot be used in auctions?
Yes, it can refer to a set of items for sale as a single unit.
What does it mean when we say "a lot of"?
It means "a large number or amount" of something.
Is Lot related to luck?
In some contexts, it can refer to one's fate or destiny, which can be linked to the idea of luck.
Can Plot mean planning something devious?
Yes, to "plot" can mean to secretly plan an action, often negative.
Can you "plot" a course on a map?
Yes, to "plot" can also mean to mark or layout, like a route on a map.
How does Plot relate to graphs?
In mathematics, "plot" can mean graphically representing data.
What does "drawing lots" mean?
It's an ancient method of making a selection or decision by random chance.
Can Lot refer to destiny?
Yes, it can denote one's fate, as in "one's lot in life."
Is every Plot of land also a Lot?
Not necessarily. While both can refer to land, they have different nuances.
Can Plot be a verb?
Yes, like in "plotting a graph" or "plotting a scheme."
In literature, which word is more related to the story structure?
Plot is directly related to the sequence of events in a story.
How is Lot different in real estate vs. auctions?
In real estate, it's a land parcel; in auctions, it's items for sale as a unit.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
