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

Queen Camilla doted on Beth, as evidenced by the photo montage the royal family posted on its social media accounts. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Nov. 2024

Matthew's favorite moment is seeing an almost mischievous Reeve raise an eyebrow, smile and look deep into the camera, usually a home video recorder wielded by his doting wife, Dana. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024

The resulting pictures seem to depict families in cramped but contented circumstances—doting relatives beaming at a child, a man reading a newspaper, spectators watching a baseball game against a backdrop of mountains. —Jake Whitney, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

Now, the actor, 56, is a doting father of four and 11 years sober. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 19 Nov. 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