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

A labour rights organisation claims it has found evidence of worker exploitation in a Chinese factory that makes the viral Labubu dolls.

From BBC

The fresh-faced blond woman, with cheeks as delicate as a china doll’s, was in cahoots with a killer?

From Literature

The doll joins the Barbie Fashionistas line, which features more than 175 looks across various skin tones, body types and disabilities.

From Los Angeles Times

The launch of the first autistic Barbie doll has been welcomed by campaigners as a step towards more "authentic, joyful" representation for neurodivergent children.

From BBC

Some of the top-selling toys included the Lego Icons sets and “Wicked” dolls along with gaming consoles and video games.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• figurine
• model
• puppet