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
• adulate
• canonize
• deify
• hero-worship
• idolize
• worship

Examples of dote in a Sentence

doted on her only grandchild

Recent Examples on the Web

The wedding brings up a lot of complicated feelings for Jo, who’s forced to face the grief of growing up without a mother when Link’s mother, Maureen, starts doting on her in ways both sweet and passive-aggressive. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 9 May 2025

Michael Jackson doted over what a dedicated mother Katherine is in his 1988 autobiography Moonwalk. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 5 May 2025

In a sweet new snap shared on Instagram on Wednesday, April 30, Jenner, 29, could be seen doting on her 3-year-old nephew Aire. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 1 May 2025

While Violet is a doting mom, other monkeys in the troop also are helping keep an eye on the new addition, zoo officials said. —Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 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