Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

dove

1 American  
[duhv] / dʌv /

noun

  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

    1. a greyish-brown colour

    2. ( as adjective )

      dove walls
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Dove 2 British  
/ dʌv /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
dove 3 British  
/ dəʊv /

verb

  1. a past tense of dive

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • dovelike adjective
  • dovish adjective

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”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Even his former nemesis Wiley paid respects, posting a video of one of Ellis's instrumentals with a dove emoji.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Kamau dove for the finish line and tripped, falling short of the victory.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

But he almost sounds like a dove in this circumstance.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

On her necklace was a tiny pendant in the shape of a dove.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Ivan didn’t say anything to them as he dove for the food, cramming meat patties, boiled eggs, and fried, flat cakes into his mouth.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.