doll

¹

[ dol ]

noun

1. a small figure representing a baby or other human being, especially for use as a child's toy.
2. a small figure representing a nonhuman character, for use as a toy:

   cartoon character dolls.

3. Slang.
   1. a pretty but expressionless or unintelligent woman.
   2. a girl or woman, especially one who is considered attractive.
   3. a boy or man who is considered attractive.
   4. (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar term of address, as to a child or romantic partner (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).
4. Informal. a generous or helpful person:

   You're a doll for lending me your car.

5. Slang. a barbiturate in pill form.

verb phrase

1. Informal.
   1. to dress, groom, or style oneself in an elegant or ostentatiously fashionable manner:

      She got all dolled up for an evening at the opera.

   2. to make more attractive, as by decorating or embellishing:

      The street was dolled up with showy flowers and colorful banners.

Doll

²

[ dol ]

noun

1. a female given name, form of Dorothy.

doll

/ dɒl /

noun

1. a small model or dummy of a human being, used as a toy
2. slang.
   a pretty girl or woman of little intelligence: sometimes used as a term of address

Derived Forms

• ˈdollishly, adverb
• ˈdollishness, noun
• ˈdollish, adjective

Other Words From

• doll·ish doll-like adjective
• doll·ish·ly adverb
• doll·ish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of doll¹

First recorded in 1550–60; generic use of Doll

Word History and Origins

Origin of doll¹

C16: probably from Doll, pet name for Dorothy

Example Sentences

“I wanted her to look almost like a cherished doll, with cream or white bases to underscore her innocence.”

From Los Angeles Times

A current favorite bit involves being on the Island of Misfit Toys with “some seriously jacked-up dolls missing pretty crucial parts.”

From Los Angeles Times

These dolls now asked to be stroked and played with, and can repeat words.

From BBC

Toy manufacturer Mattel has apologized for a misprint that appeared on the packaging of its line of “Wicked” dolls and listed an address for an adult website.

From Los Angeles Times

Eagle-eyed Wicked fans got more than they bargained for when small-print on packaging for dolls inspired by the movie mistakenly listed the address for an adult website.

From BBC

Related Words

• figurine
• model
• puppet