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 siblings grew up in the lap of luxury, dressed in the finest silks, with doting courtiers catering to their every whim. Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025 Excessive flattery of a doting father—who could prosecute this? Nan Z. Da june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025 Carmen Gayheart: animal lover, nursing student, doting mother Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Carmen and Maria Tortora were sisters and best friends. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 8 June 2025 Margarita shares a special bond with her father, Avi - a doting Israeli who is a cantor at their local synagogue - ever since her mother, Marsha, abandoned the family. Troy McMullen, ABC News, 8 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dote. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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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