doll

/dɒl/ (bre, ipa) · /dɑːl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdäl ˈdȯl/ (ame, mw)

doll — noun

  • dollsingular
  • dollsplural

1. an object made to look like a person or baby, used by children as a plaything

1.名詞A2
釋義

an object made to look like a person or baby, used by children as a plaything

例句

Jisoo put her doll to bed and covered it with a tiny blanket.

put [doll] to bed

The little boy carried his rag doll everywhere he went.

rag doll

同義詞
  • toy

    a general term for any plaything; doll is a specific kind of toy

  • action figure

    a poseable doll representing a character from a film or comic, usually sold for boys

  • figurine

    a small decorative figure, not intended as a plaything

用法筆記

Doll is the general term; specific types include rag doll, porcelain doll, and paper doll. A doll's house is a miniature house for dolls to live in.

常見錯誤

❌She played with her puppet all afternoon' (when the toy is a soft standalone figure).
✅She played with her doll all afternoon.
💡a puppet is moved by strings or a hand inside it; a doll is a standalone figure a child holds and moves directly.

2. a word used to refer to a young woman in a way that many people now find insulti

2.名詞B2
釋義

a word used to refer to a young woman in a way that many people now find insulting, especially when it focuses on her appearance

例句

Some men still call young women 'dolls,' but the term is now seen as insulting.

The manager was told to stop calling female staff 'dolls' because it made them uncomfortable.

offensive register: referring to women as 'dolls' in workplace

同義詞
  • babe

    also an informal and potentially offensive term of address for an attractive woman

  • honey

    can be affectionate or patronising depending on context and tone

  • arm candy

    slang for an attractive partner seen as a status symbol, strongly objectifying

文法句型

used as a term of address or reference

用法筆記

This sense is widely considered offensive or disrespectful, especially in professional or public settings. It reduces a woman to her appearance. Avoid using it unless you are discussing the term itself or describing dated language.

常見錯誤

❌My boss called me a doll today at work, which was a nice compliment.
✅My boss called me a doll today at work, and I found it disrespectful.
💡using 'doll' to describe a woman in a workplace is widely considered inappropriate and objectifying.

3. someone who is kind, helpful, or pleasant — used as a friendly way to address or

3.名詞B1
釋義

someone who is kind, helpful, or pleasant — used as a friendly way to address or describe a person

例句

Be a doll and grab me a coffee while you're at the counter.

be a doll and [request]

Élise is such a doll — she brought home-made soup when I was sick.

同義詞
  • sweetheart

    similar affectionate term, but more commonly used as direct address

  • darling

    warmer and more intimate; common between romantic partners or to children

  • gem

    suggests someone who is especially helpful or reliable, less intimate

文法句型

be a doll and [imperative]

用法筆記

Used affectionately, this sense is not offensive — unlike sense 2. It is most common in the fixed phrases 'be a doll' (making a friendly request) and 'you're a doll' (expressing thanks). Typically used between people who know each other.

常見錯誤

❌She's such a doll' (said about a female colleague in a professional review, which could be mistaken for the offensive sense 2).
✅She's very kind and helpful
💡in formal or professional contexts, avoid using 'doll' to describe a woman, as listeners may interpret it as condescending.