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
• worship
• like

Examples of dote in a Sentence

doted on her only grandchild

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, the proudly independent artist—and doting mother of four—catches up with Vogue to reflect on her new album, her family with New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, and the lasting lessons of her astounding early success. —Rob Ledonne, Vogue, 22 Aug. 2025

The doting husband brings out a lunch tray filled with potato chips, a cup of baby carrots accompanied by a bowl of ranch dressing, four cookies, and a whopping seven hot dogs drizzled with mustard. —Moná Thomas, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Ming was a doting older brother with two brothers and three sisters. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025

But Williams was no doting dad, his own relatives said. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 15 June 2025

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

Rhymes for dote

• bloat
• boat
• choate
• coat
• cote
• float
• gloat
• goat
• groat
• haute
• moat
• mote

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