doll
dol
Doll (noun) means a toy made in the likeness of a human figure, often a child's plaything. Example: “The little girl dressed her doll in a tiny knitted cardigan.”
noun
1
A toy made in the likeness of a human figure, often a child's plaything.
"The little girl dressed her doll in a tiny knitted cardigan."
"A porcelain doll sat on the shelf in the museum's toy collection."
"She still keeps the doll her grandmother gave her as a child."
2
Informal: an attractive or likeable person, often used as a term of endearment.
""Come on in, doll, and take a seat," said the friendly waitress."
"You're a doll for helping me carry these heavy shopping bags."
""Thanks, doll," she said, taking the coffee he'd brought her."
verb
1
"Doll up": to dress oneself in an elaborate or glamorous way.
"She dolled up in a sparkly dress for her friend's wedding."
"I'm going to doll myself up before we go out tonight."
"They dolled themselves up for the awards ceremony."
How to use doll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly, a child's toy figure; also used informally as a friendly or admiring way to address someone.
Common pairings
doll up
a china doll
play with dolls
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Word forms
- Plural
- dolls, dollz
- Third person singular
- dolls
- Past tense
- dolled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little girl dressed her _____ in a tiny knitted cardigan.
Etymology
From "Doll," a pet form of the name Dorothy, which came to be applied to toy figures and, later, to attractive people.
Related words
Rhymes for doll
See all rhymes for doll →Frequently asked questions
What does “doll” mean?
The word “doll” means a toy made in the likeness of a human figure, often a child's plaything. In plain terms, most commonly, a child's toy figure; also used informally as a friendly or admiring way to address someone.
How do you pronounce “doll”?
“Doll” is pronounced dol (/dɑl/ in IPA).
How do you use “doll” in a sentence?
Here is “doll” used in a sentence: “She still keeps the doll her grandmother gave her as a child.”
What part of speech is “doll”?
Depending on how it is used, “doll” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “doll” a common word?
“Doll” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “doll” have?
“Doll” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a toy made in the likeness of a human figure, often a child's plaything.
What is the difference between a doll and an action figure?
Both are toys made in the likeness of human figures. Action figure is the marketing and collector term for jointed, poseable figures, usually based on characters from films, comics, or games, while doll is the broader, older word covering everything from baby dolls to fashion dolls. Many collectors treat action figures as simply one category of doll.
Is calling someone a doll a compliment?
Usually, yes — as a term of endearment, doll means an attractive or likeable person, and "You're a doll" thanks someone for being kind or helpful. The word sounds distinctly old-fashioned, though, and in professional settings it can come across as overly familiar or patronizing, so it is best kept for people you know well.
What is the difference between a doll and a figurine?
A doll is a toy made to be played with, typically in the likeness of a human figure. A figurine is a small decorative statue meant for display rather than play, and it can depict anything — people, animals, or fictional creatures. Purpose and handling separate the two.
