doze

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈdōz 

dozed; dozing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to sleep lightly

b

: to fall into a light sleep

—usually used with off

2

: to be in a dull or stupefied condition

transitive verb

: to pass (time) drowsily

doze noun

doze

2 of 2

verb (2)

dozed; dozing

transitive verb

: bulldoze sense 2

Synonyms of doze

Verb (1)

• sleep

Examples of doze in a Sentence

Verb (1)

likes to doze through those lazy summer afternoons

she dozed fitfully in the car but never fell completely asleep

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

His personal bodyguard dozed in the courtroom’s family and friends section as an assistant scrolled through her phone and his father demolished a Snickers. — Luke Jones, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

Even 15 seconds in N1 helped, but dozing deeper erased the benefit. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 4 Nov. 2026

Nothing etches itself in your heart quite like the memory of watching a pack of energetic African wild dogs frolicking, a lioness and her cubs dozing on the Kalahari with your own kids tucked in close. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026

Victor Nicholas ended up dozing with his head on her shoulder. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse dūsa to doze

Verb (2)

probably back-formation from dozer (bulldozer)

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1677, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

1945, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing doze

• doze off

Rhymes for doze

• blows
• brose
• chose
• cloze
• cose
• crows
• doughs
• floes
• flows
• foes
• froze
• glows

Kids Definition

doze

verb

ˈdōz

dozed; dozing

: to sleep lightly

doze noun

dozer noun