dote

verb

ˈdōt 

doted; doting

intransitive verb

1

: to exhibit mental decline of or like that of old age : be in one's dotage

2

: to be lavish or excessive in one's attention, fondness, or affection

—usually used with on

doted on her only grandchild

doter noun

dotingly

ˈdō-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• adore
• adulate
• canonize
• deify
• hero-worship
• idolize
• worship

Examples of dote in a Sentence

doted on her only grandchild

Recent Examples on the Web

Their first child, Jack Ryan, who was born in 2022, is seen in videos being a doting older brother. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 16 Jan. 2025

Folks, there is such a thing as being overly doting. —Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 14 Nov. 2024

Toddler’s Guilt Trip Work To Perfection On Grandma: ‘Caved In Too Quick’ By Jack Beresford Senior Life and Trends Reporter 0 A doting grandmother showed precisely why she's considered a soft touch around her granddaughter in a hilarious video posted to social media. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

In Playing Nice, Norton and Algar are doting parents Pete and Maddie. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English; akin to Middle Low German dotten to be foolish

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dote

• dote on/upon

Kids Definition

dote

verb

ˈdōt 

doted; doting

: to be excessive in one's attention or fondness

—usually used with on

doted on their grandchild

dotingly

ˈdōt-iŋ-lē 

adverb