dote

verb

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 adverb

Examples of dote in a Sentence

doted on her only grandchild
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Josh Hartnett has a grand old time as Cooper, a doting father who takes his daughter to see a Taylor Swift-like singer’s concert (director M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter, Saleka). Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 12 Nov. 2024 Their scenes are done away from the studio audience, which doting TV dad Jordan totally gets. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dote 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dote was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near dote

Cite this Entry

“Dote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dote. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dote

verb
doted; doting
: to be excessive in one's attention or fondness
usually used with on
doted on their grandchild
dotingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on dote

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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