doddering

American  

[dod-er-ing] / ˈdɒd ər ɪŋ /

Also doddery

adjective

1. shaky or trembling, as from old age; tottering.

   a doddering old man.

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doddering British  

/ ˈdɒdərɪŋ /

adjective

1. shaky, feeble, or infirm, esp from old age

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Etymology

Origin of doddering

First recorded in 1735–45; dodder ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The interview is utterly anodyne, a doddering exchange of pleasantries and carefully selected humanizing anecdotes.

From Slate • Dec. 18, 2025

Offstage, he was a doddering, stammering dad shuffling around rooms bustling with yapping tiny dogs urinating everywhere.

From Salon • Jul. 24, 2025

Some aides, according to Axios, wish Mr. Biden would more often show this side of him to counter concerns that the 80-year-old is too doddering for office amid frequent oral gaffes.

From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2023

Whether Arkel is wise or a doddering old fool is a matter of question, which the veteran Italian bass Ferruccio Furlanetto answers with a loud affirmation of the latter.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2023

Theon did not fear a doddering old man, but those watching archers and that line of knights were a different matter.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin