doting

UK: /ˈdəʊtɪŋ/ US: (dō′ting)

From the verb dote: (⇒ conjugate)

doting is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dot•ing  (dō′ting), adj. 

1. excessively fond:
   doting parents.
2. showing a decline of mental faculties, esp. associated with old age;
   weak-minded;
   senile.

• dote + -ing² 1480–90

dot′ing•ly, adv. 
dot′ing•ness, n. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dote /doʊt/   v. [~ + on + object] , dot•ed, dot•ing. 

1. to give or show too much fondness or love:
   Grandparents just love to dote on their grandchildren.

dot•ing•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dote  (dōt), v., dot•ed, dot•ing, n. 
v.i. Also, doat. 

1. to bestow or express excessive love or fondness habitually (usually fol. by on or upon):
   They dote on their youngest daughter.
2. to show a decline of mental faculties, esp. associated with old age.

n. 

3. decay of wood.

• 1175–1225; Middle English doten to behave foolishly, become feeble-minded; cognate with Middle Dutch doten.

dot′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dote, (now rarely)doat / dəʊt/ verb (intransitive)

1. followed by on or upon: to love to an excessive or foolish degree
2. to have decreased mental functioning, esp as a result of old age

Etymology: 13th Century: related to Middle Dutch doten to be silly, Norwegian dudra to shake

ˈdoter, (now rarely)ˈdoater noun