dote
Dote (verb) means to show excessive love or fondness for someone, often overlooking their faults. Example: “Grandparents tend to dote on their grandchildren.”
How to use dote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lavish someone with adoring, sometimes overindulgent, attention and affection.
Always used with "on" — you dote ON someone, not just "dote someone."
Word forms
doted past tense, doted past tense, dotes plural, dotes plural, dotes singular, dotes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Grandparents tend to _____ on their grandchildren.
Etymology
From Middle English doten, "to be foolish," related to Middle Dutch and Low German words meaning much the same.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for dote
See all rhymes for dote →Frequently asked questions
What does “dote” mean?
The word “dote” means to show excessive love or fondness for someone, often overlooking their faults. In plain terms, to lavish someone with adoring, sometimes overindulgent, attention and affection.
How do you pronounce “dote”?
“Dote” is pronounced doht (/doʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dote” in a sentence?
Here is “dote” used in a sentence: “Grandparents tend to dote on their grandchildren.”
What is another word for “dote”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dote” include mimmerkin.
What part of speech is “dote”?
“Dote” is a verb.
Where does the word “dote” come from?
The word “dote” comes from Middle English. From Middle English doten, "to be foolish," related to Middle Dutch and Low German words meaning much the same.