1 B2 idiomatic informal
To love and adore someone excessively, giving them constant attention and affection.
"Her grandparents dote over her — they call every single day."
inseparable
dote over
B2 informal inseparable transitive
To show great, sometimes excessive love and attention toward someone.
In plain English
To love someone so much that you give them all your attention and care.
What does "dote over" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Non-standard variant of 'dote on'. Some speakers use 'dote over' by analogy with 'fuss over', but 'dote on' is preferred in most formal and written contexts. Often used about grandparents and grandchildren, or new parents.
Words that pair with "dote over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
grandchildren children baby pet partner
How to conjugate "dote over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
dote over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dotes over
he/she/it
Past simple
doted over
yesterday
Past participle
doted over
have + pp
-ing form
doting over
continuous
Hear "dote over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "dote over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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