doll

1 of 2

noun

ˈdäl How to pronounce doll (audio)
ˈdȯl
Synonyms of dollnext
1
: a small-scale figure of a human being used especially as a child's plaything
2
a(1)
: a pretty but often empty-headed young woman
(2)
: woman
b
: darling, sweetheart
c
: an attractive person
dollish
ˈdä-lish How to pronounce doll (audio)
ˈdȯ-
adjective
dollishly adverb
dollishness noun

dollish

2 of 2

adjective

doll·​ish ˈdälish How to pronounce dollish (audio)
ˈdȯl-, 
-lēsh
: like a doll
specifically : pretty but rather empty-headed
dollishly
-lə̇shlē, 
-lēsh-, 
-shli
adverb
dollishness
-lishnə̇s, 
-lēsh-
noun
plural -es

Synonyms of doll

Relevance

Noun

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Examples of doll in a Sentence

Noun My aunt collects porcelain dolls. there was a row of dolls along the shelf in the bedroom
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
There’s no way the doll monsters at the pond were the whole point of the Lake of Tears, right? — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 The brand has seen its fair share of criticism in regards to doll diversity. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 3 July 2026 On every vacation, I was accompanied by a doll and my camera. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026 There was a bicentennial Barbie and a colonial Campbell’s Soup doll. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for doll

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from Doll, nickname for Dorothy

First Known Use

Noun

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of doll was in 1693

Phrases Containing doll

Rhymes for doll

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Browse Nearby Words

Dolium
doll
doll's-eyes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doll. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

doll

noun
ˈdäl How to pronounce doll (audio)
ˈdȯl
1
: a small figure of a human being used especially as a child's plaything
2
a
: a pretty young woman
b
: an attractive person

More from Merriam-Webster on doll

Nglish: Translation of doll for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about doll

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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