adj

dotty

DO-tee

Dotty (adj) means Mildly eccentric or confused, especially due to old age. Example: “Her dotty old uncle kept forgetting where he'd put his glasses.”

adj

Mildly eccentric or confused, especially due to old age.

"Her dotty old uncle kept forgetting where he'd put his glasses."

Covered with many dots.

"The curtains had a dotty pattern in pastel colors."

How to use dotty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA gentle, slightly affectionate word for someone who's a bit scatterbrained or eccentric, often used of the elderly.

When to use it

Mostly British and informal.

Common pairings

dotty old man a bit dotty

Word forms

dottier comparative, dottier comparative, dotties plural, dottiest superlative, dottiest superlative

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Her _____ old uncle kept forgetting where he'd put his glasses.

Etymology

Related to "dote" (in its "senile" sense); compare "totty," meaning unsteady or dizzy.

Rhymes for dotty

potty spotty snotty Scotty

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dotty” mean?

The word “dotty” means mildly eccentric or confused, especially due to old age. In plain terms, a gentle, slightly affectionate word for someone who's a bit scatterbrained or eccentric, often used of the elderly.

How do you pronounce “dotty”?

“Dotty” is pronounced DO-tee (/ˈdɑ.ti/ in IPA).

How do you use “dotty” in a sentence?

Here is “dotty” used in a sentence: “Her dotty old uncle kept forgetting where he'd put his glasses.”

What part of speech is “dotty”?

“Dotty” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “dotty” have?

“Dotty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: mildly eccentric or confused, especially due to old age.