doll

¹ American  

[dol] / dɒl /

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.

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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 American  

[dol] / dɒl /

noun

1. a female given name, form of Dorothy.

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doll British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of doll

First recorded in 1550–60; generic use of Doll

Example Sentences

The doll, a Mattel staple, rose to the spotlight following the 2023 hit movie, “Barbie,” but has since lost momentum.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

He is bearded and buff; she is a porcelain doll with Wednesday Addams hair and skin.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Rubbish washes up on the island from many faraway places, with a decapitated doll from Japan once rearing its plastic head.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2026

It went on to become the largest doll manufacturer in America.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

Peeking up over the top was my very own baby doll.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

Related Words

• figurine
• model
• puppet