doll

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

Synonyms of doll

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Examples of doll in a Sentence

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.
Now, she's been immortalized with a Barbie doll and the pink energy of girlhood is headed for State Farm Arena. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Wear pink and scoop up some limited edition merch, but no word if Angel Reese’s new doll will be on the shelves (can confirm, however, that Reese spent part of her weekend giving back). — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 My husband walked into the room and winced as one of the women changed into a perfect re-creation of an American Girl–doll outfit (very theater kid, not his thing). — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2026 There are too many mentions of Julia Roberts and of Fauci bobblehead dolls. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doll

Word History

Etymology

probably from Doll, nickname for Dorothy

First Known Use

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

See All Rhymes for doll

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 5 Aug. 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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