noun
Uncommon
dole
dohl
Dole (noun) means British informal: state unemployment benefit payments. Example: “He was on the dole for six months before finding work.”
noun
1
British informal: state unemployment benefit payments.
"He was on the dole for six months before finding work."
verb
1
To give out something, especially in small or limited amounts.
"The charity doled out blankets and hot soup to the homeless."
How to use dole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither unemployment benefits (British usage) or the act of handing something out in portions.
UK vs US
"On the dole" is a British expression; Americans would usually say "on welfare" or "collecting unemployment."
Common pairings
dole out
on the dole
dole money
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dole.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- doles
- Past tense
- doled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was on the _____ for six months before finding work.
Etymology
From Old English dāl, "portion, share" — related to the word "deal."
Synonyms
View more →
pogy
pogey
Related words
Rhymes for dole
See all rhymes for dole →Frequently asked questions
What does “dole” mean?
The word “dole” means british informal: state unemployment benefit payments. In plain terms, either unemployment benefits (British usage) or the act of handing something out in portions.
How do you pronounce “dole”?
“Dole” is pronounced dohl (/doʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “dole” in a sentence?
Here is “dole” used in a sentence: “He was on the dole for six months before finding work.”
What part of speech is “dole”?
Depending on how it is used, “dole” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dole” come from?
The word “dole” comes from Old English. From Old English dāl, "portion, share" — related to the word "deal.".
Is “dole” a common word?
“Dole” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dole” have?
“Dole” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: british informal: state unemployment benefit payments.
