doll

doll

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "doll" is /dɒl/.

• /dɒl/

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Word Form Variations

• Singular: doll

• Plural: dolls

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A toy figure, typically of a human baby or child, used for play by children.

• Synonyms: plaything, toy figure, figurine

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; dolls are a specific type of object)

• Definition 2: (Informal, often affectionate) A beautiful or attractive person, especially a woman.

• Synonyms: beauty, stunner, darling, sweetheart, babe (informal)

• Antonyms: plain Jane, homely person

• Definition 3: (Slang, derogatory) A person, especially a woman, who is perceived as being unintelligent or easily manipulated.

• Synonyms: puppet, pawn, dupe, simpleton

• Antonyms: mastermind, independent thinker, intelligent person

Verb

• Definition 1: (Often with "up") To dress someone, especially oneself, in elaborate or very fashionable clothes.

• Synonyms: primp, gussy up (informal), dress up, preen

• Antonyms: dress down, underdress, dishevel

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Examples of Use

Books:

• "She carefully dressed her favorite doll in a tiny lace gown, preparing for their imaginary tea party." 

• "The detective knew she was just a pretty face, a mere doll in the hands of the criminal mastermind." 

• "His grandmother’s collection of porcelain dolls lined the shelves, each with its own intricate history." 

Newspapers:

• "The local toy store reported a surge in sales of traditional dolls during the holiday season." (The Daily Chronicle)

• "Critics argue that the new action figure line perpetuates harmful stereotypes, making girls appear as mere dolls for boys to play with." (The New York Times)

Online Publications:

• "Rare antique doll fetch record price at online auction." (Antiques Roadshow Online)

• "How to make your own DIY fabric doll for beginners." (Craftsy.com)

• "The pop star, looking absolutely stunning in her latest photoshoot, was described by fans as a 'living doll'." (E! Online)

Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Television Show (Dialogue): "You look absolutely lovely tonight, my little doll." (Line from a romantic comedy series, common affectionate term)

• Song Lyrics: "She's my little voodoo doll, she sticks me with her love." (Lyrics from a contemporary pop song, common metaphorical use)

• Movie Title: The Maltese Falcon (Features the iconic "Black Bird" which is a type of valuable figurine, often referred to as a "bird doll" or just "the doll" in conversations related to the MacGuffin, though not explicitly called a "doll" in the title itself, the concept of a valuable, often human-like, figure is central to the "doll" archetype).

• Video Game: A character in a horror game might encounter a creepy, animated doll as an enemy. (Common trope in horror games, e.g., Five Nights at Freddy's series)

• Podcast: "Today on the show, we discuss the societal pressure on women to be perfect 'little dolls' rather than independent thinkers." (From a feminist or social commentary podcast)

General Public Discourse:

• "My daughter just got a new doll for her birthday, and she hasn't put it down all day." (Casual conversation between parents)

• "He thinks he can just tell me what to do, like I'm some kind of a doll." (Frustrated remark in a casual conversation, expressing autonomy)

• "Wow, look at that classic car, it's a real beauty, a real doll!" (Informal expression of admiration for an inanimate object, particularly in older generations)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Doll

1. "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages." (Though "doll" is not used, the concept of people as puppets or played parts is central, from William Shakespeare, As You Like It)

2. "I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world." (Aqua, "Barbie Girl" song lyrics, using "Barbie" as a widely recognized type of doll)

3. "Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can." (Danny Kaye, often associated with a joyful, childlike approach that one might attribute to playing with a doll's freedom)

4. "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will." (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, implicitly rejecting the idea of being controlled like a doll)

5. "I always wanted to be a doll, a beautiful and perfect doll." (Originally from a character in a Japanese anime or manga, common theme of idealization often associated with dolls)

6. "He treats me like a porcelain doll, afraid I'll break." (Common metaphorical phrase describing overly protective treatment, source unknown)

7. "To be a man is to be a toy of fate." (A loose interpretation of a sentiment found in many philosophical texts, where "toy" is synonymous with "doll" in the context of being manipulated)

8. "You want a love that consumes you. You want passion, and adventure, and even a little danger... I want you to be unafraid to walk out of this room and know that you are not some fragile little doll." (From a popular television series or film, exact source varies but common motivational dialogue)

9. "She was a vision, dressed to the nines, a real doll." (Common colloquialism, often found in vintage literature or film dialogue, e.g., 1940s detective novels)

10. "The child hugged her tattered rag doll tightly, finding comfort in its worn familiarity." (A classic image from children's literature, representative of the bond with a favorite doll, e.g., Raggedy Ann Stories)

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Etymology

The word "doll" has a rather charming and unexpected origin!

It actually comes from Doll, which was a common shortened, affectionate nickname for the proper female name Dorothy. Think of how "William" can become "Will" or "Elizabeth" can become "Liz."

The name Dorothy itself comes from the Greek words dōron meaning "gift" and thea, meaning "god." So, Dorothy essentially means "gift of God."

The first known use of "doll" referring to a toy figure was around 1700. Before that, around the mid-1500s and into the 1600s, "Doll" (as a diminutive of Dorothy) was sometimes used to mean an endearing term for a woman or a mistress, and even sometimes took on a negative slang meaning referring to a "promiscuous woman."

However, it was the "child's toy" meaning that really took off and became the most common understanding of the word, seemingly eclipsing the older personal name usage by the mid-16th century, though the affectionate and sometimes derogatory uses for people reappeared later, likely influenced by the toy's characteristics (attractive but possibly superficial).

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Doll

1. Doll up: To dress very elaborately or formally.

2. To be someone's doll: To be under someone's control or seen as an object of affection or manipulation.

3. A living doll: A term for a very attractive or pleasant person, usually a woman.

4. Dressed to the dolls: (Lesser-known, an elaboration of "dressed to the nines") meaning extremely well-dressed.

5. Look like a china doll: To appear delicate, perfect, and sometimes fragile.

6. To play with dolls: To engage in make-believe, often associated with childhood play.

7. Puppet on a string: (Using "puppet" as a synonym for a manipulated figure) To be completely controlled by another.

8. To be a real doll: To be a very kind, helpful, or pleasant person (often said admiringly).

9. Voodoo doll: A doll-like figure used in folk magic for sympathetic magic, often to inflict harm on an enemy.

10. Rag doll: A type of soft, simple doll; idiomatically can describe someone floppy or limp after an injury ("went limp like a rag doll").

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of doll from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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