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 of dote

• adore
• worship
• like

Examples of dote in a Sentence

doted on her only grandchild

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking in court Tuesday, Virginia Nishita remembered her husband as a doting father and grandfather who found a decades-long calling as a police officer at agencies across the Bay Area, and later as a private security guard for local television crews. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026

On the latest episode of The Katie Miller podcast, the doting dad of four, 35, gave insight into his relationship with each of the mothers of his four children. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026

The Easter Bunny made an appearance to doting kiddies. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026

Their first child, a daughter named Raegan, is 8 years old and a doting sister to Tucker. —Sondra Hernandez, Houston Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026

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