doddering

IPA/ˈdɒdərɪŋ/
KK[dˈɑdɚɪŋ]IPA/ˈdɑːdərɪŋ/

doddering — 形容詞

  • dodderingpositive
  • more dodderingcomparative
  • most dodderingsuperlative

1. describing a person, almost always elderly, whose legs shake and whose movements

1.形容詞C2
釋義

顫巍巍的

形容老人身體虛弱、步履不穩的樣子

describing a person, almost always elderly, whose legs shake and whose movements are slow because their body has grown weak with age; sometimes also suggesting that the person seems mentally slow.

例句

A doddering old man crossed the street one careful step at a time.

一位顫巍巍的老先生小心翼翼地一步一步穿過馬路。

attributive: doddering + old + noun (typical age collocation)

Mizuki helped her doddering grandfather up the stone steps to the temple.

Mizuki 扶著步履蹣跚的爺爺走上通往寺廟的石階。

common possessive frame: someone's doddering [relative]

常見搭配
  • doddering old man
  • doddering grandfather
  • doddering pensioner
  • doddering professor
  • doddering fool
同義詞
  • tottering

    very close meaning; emphasises the look of nearly falling with each step.

  • decrepit

    stronger and more negative; suggests broken-down by age, not just unsteady on the feet.

  • infirm

    more formal and neutral; covers weakness from age or illness without the shaky-step image.

  • frail

    gentler and more respectful; common in care and medical contexts.

反義詞
  • spry

    describes an older person who still moves easily and quickly — the direct opposite image.

  • vigorous

    broader; emphasises strength and energy regardless of age.

文法句型

doddering + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively before a noun (typically `old man`, `grandfather`, `pensioner`, `professor`). Rarely follows the verb `be`. Carries a mildly dismissive or pitying tone, so avoid it in respectful or formal speech about real elderly people.

常見錯誤

The old man is doddering at the bus stop.
A doddering old man stood at the bus stop.
doddering is normally used before a noun, not after the verb 'be'.
Her doddering child took small steps.
Her doddering grandmother took small steps.
the word is used about elderly people, not children, even if the child is unsteady.

同根字

  • dodder
    動詞C2
  • doddery
    形容詞C2

常見搭配

名詞搭配

常用片語

  • doddering old fool
  • doddering old age