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. doll up

   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

Other Word Forms

• dollishly adverb
• dollishness noun
• dollish adjective
• doll-like adjective

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

The official cause of death for Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator who died while handling the allegedly haunted Annabelle doll during a tour in Pennsylvania earlier this year, has been revealed.

From Los Angeles Times

On top of the pay phone perches a nude Barbie doll.

From Los Angeles Times

The kidult sector is booming, encompassing everyone from the so-called “Disney adult” to those who carry a Labubu doll as a fashion accessory.

From Los Angeles Times

A warning: The nesting doll of literary references in “Katabasis” will be a delight to some and impenetrable to others.

From Los Angeles Times

The trend is not surprising given that Chinese soft power seems to be on the rise – think viral Labubu dolls, humanoid robots and futuristic cities that are impressing travellers.

From BBC

Related Words

• figurine 
• model 
• puppet