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.
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 For a group of girls who wanted nothing more than to become doting wives and smiling mothers, the year could not have gone more disastrously. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 May 2026 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 11 Jun. 2026.

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

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