Showing results for "dove"

• past tense form of dive.
• past participle of dive.

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• 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.

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dove ² American  

[dohv] / doʊv /

verb

1. a simple past tense of dive.

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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.

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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

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Dove ² British  

/ dʌv /

noun

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

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dove ³ British  

/ dəʊv /

verb

1. a past tense of dive

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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

Seven ponds for drinking and bathing have also been restored near to nesting sites in the hope that the birds - which are Europe's only migratory dove species - return next year.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

A recent Wall Street Journal article dove into the reasons why people are keeping more than $3 trillion in retail money-market funds—near an all-time high, according to the Investment Company Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

In the latest episode of “The De Los Podcast,” Díaz dove into his early career and inside the making of his latest album, the culinary-inspired “Omakase,” which went No. 1 in 16 Latin countries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

Despite having been in basic training only eight months, he knew what that meant, and dove for the floor.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

Through the silence, the trees grew larger as Bruce dove to the south.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Dove and La Roche-Posay peddle samples of antiperspirant and sunscreen.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

Underlying sales for the Dove soap maker rose 5.8% on year in the quarter, compared with 3.1% in the same period last year, excluding ice-cream.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

The fire at Dove Stone Reservoir, which has been declared a major incident, sent large plumes of smoke for miles across the wider region.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

In “Daughters of the Sun and Moon,” Dove, Petal and Moon arrive in “the dirty, dusty, violent streets of Los Angeles.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 11, 2026

Of course it should be expected that Dove would use his bench—for a little while—-just until he was back at it himself.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Conservationists have released more than two dozen turtle doves in the South Downs National Park in a bid to help the species, which is on the brink of extinction in the UK, to recover.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

The new findings do not support the idea that the bird had reduced cognitive abilities compared with living pigeons and doves.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

The changing picture is nevertheless likely to make for tense discussions among the ECB's "hawks", who favour rate hikes, and the "doves", who advocate looser policy.

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

But Jane and Michael knew that they were not sparrows, but doves and pigeons.

From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers

Related Words

• drab
• dusty
• silvery