Jump To:

• dove
  dove

  noun

  any bird of the family Columbidae, especially the smaller species with pointed tails.
• Dove
  Dove

  noun

  Arthur, 1880–1946, U.S. painter.

dove

¹ American  

[duhv] / dʌv /

noun

• doves
  plural

1. 

   any bird of the family Columbidae, especially the smaller species with pointed tails.

2. a pure white member of this species, used as a symbol of innocence, gentleness, tenderness, and peace.

3. Dove, a symbol for the Holy Ghost.

4. an innocent, gentle, or tender person.

5. Also called peace dove. a person, especially one in public office, who advocates peace, compromise, or a conciliatory national attitude.

6. dove color.

7. Economics. an official or advisor who advocates low interest rates or other monetary policies aimed at reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth.

8. Astronomy. Dove, the constellation Columba.

---

dove ² American  

[dohv] / doʊv /

verb

1. a simple past tense of dive.

---

Dove ³ American  

[duhv] / dʌv /

noun

1. Arthur, 1880–1946, U.S. painter.

2. Rita, born 1952, U.S. poet and educator: U.S. poet laureate 1993.

---

dove ¹ British  

/ dʌv /

noun

1. any of various birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order Columbiformes. They are typically smaller than pigeons

2. politics a person opposed to war Compare hawk 1

3. a gentle or innocent person: used as a term of endearment

4. 1. a greyish-brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      dove walls

---

Dove ² British  

/ dʌv /

noun

1. Christianity a manifestation of the Holy Spirit (John 1:32)

---

dove ³ British  

/ dəʊv /

verb

1. a past tense of dive

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dovelike
  adjective
• dovish
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• doves
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of dove

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English dūfe- (in dūfedoppa “dip-diver”); cognate with Dutch duif, German Taube, Old Norse dūfa, Gothic dūbo, originally, “a diver”

---

Explanation

A plump white or gray bird that makes a cooing sound is a dove. In both religious and secular contexts, doves are often used to symbolize peace. Doves and pigeons are closely related, and the two names are often used interchangeably. These round, short-necked birds live almost everywhere on the earth, with the exception of Antarctica, the highest elevations of the Arctic, and the Sahara Desert. In politics, a person whose priority is advocating for peaceful solutions is often referred to as a dove.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dove Dove doves

When he was a teenager, Walters remembers, he dove into some catfish holes so vast he couldn’t find the back.

From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026

In the eighth inning, he dove after a ground ball up the middle, as shortstop Mookie Betts hurdled over him, and was slow to get up, holding his right shoulder.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

The turtle dove is currently on the Birds of Conservation Concern's red list - placing it at high list of extinction in the UK.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

As Steinem dove headlong into covering the movement, women’s groups invited her to speak.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

We all pretended that we didn’t hear her and dove beneath the surface.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Dove Cameron and Damiano David have tied the knot!

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Hospices do get some statutory funding, but for Dove House Hospice, in Hull, that makes up only 13% of its £12m annual running costs.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

In social-media posts sponsored by Dove, people are layering its fragrant body washes, bar soaps and scrubs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

The presence of so many stalwarts largely squeezes out fresh talent, but the mysterious Irish newcomer Dove Ellis stands out as a potential winner, for the otherworldly beauty of his debut album, Blizzard.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

But they had had no idea that Dove, too, had known at the time.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

The authority said the plan was part of "urgent efforts" to restore the species, with a further 100 doves being prepared for another release next year.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

The results suggest that its sensory experience differed in several important ways from that of modern pigeons and doves.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

"Instead of a summer lull, the meeting promises one last clash between the hawks and doves before anyone reaches for the sunscreen," said Brzeski.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

The wedding industry that’s created demand for everything from caged doves to ceiling flowers finally is turning its attention to men, reminding brides of four important words: It’s his day too.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

In time, the locust drone of the school board gave over to the mourning of doves in the eaves.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• drab
• dusty
• silvery

---