doted; doting
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
dot·er
variants
or less commonly doater
ˈdōtə(r),
-ōtə-
plural -s
1
: a person who exhibits the mental decline of or like that of old age : dotard
2
: one that is foolishly or excessively fond
a doter on fried clams
Examples of dote in a Sentence
Verb
doted on her only grandchild
Recent Examples on the Web
Elle Meier, InStyle, 13 June 2026
After the raids, the quinceañera shops, normally packed with girls and doting mothers on weekends, often sat empty.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Olga, on the other hand just, like, moves on, when her beau is killed in that duel, finding a soldier to dote on in the very next scene.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Grandparents dote on children in strollers, plates are passed, the energy is casual, happy, warm.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dote
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Verb
Throughout the day’s events, she was seen doting on her two sons while also chatting with Sarah Ferguson, then-wife of ex-Prince Andrew.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 13 June 2026
After the raids, the quinceañera shops, normally packed with girls and doting mothers on weekends, often sat empty.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Olga, on the other hand just, like, moves on, when her beau is killed in that duel, finding a soldier to dote on in the very next scene.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Grandparents dote on children in strollers, plates are passed, the energy is casual, happy, warm.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for dote
Cite this Entry
“Dote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dote. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dote
verb
doted; doting
: to be excessive in one's attention or fondness
—usually used with on
doted on their grandchild
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