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Dotty: meaning, definitions and examples

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dotty

 

[ ˈdɒti ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

informal usage

Dotty is an informal term used to describe someone who is eccentric or slightly mad. It often suggests a whimsical or harmless kind of craziness rather than serious mental instability. People described as dotty might engage in quirky behaviors or have unusual ideas. Overall, the term conveys a sense of endearment more than derogation.

Synonyms

bizarre, crazy, eccentric, nutty, quirky

Examples of usage

  • My grandmother is a bit dotty, always talking to her plants.
  • The artist's dotty sense of style makes her stand out.
  • He's known for his dotty theories about time travel.
  • After spending long hours on his project, he started to feel a bit dotty.

Translations

Translations of the word "dotty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pontoado

🇮🇳 बिंदु

🇩🇪 punkte

🇮🇩 berbintik

🇺🇦 крапковий

🇵🇱 kropkowany

🇯🇵 点々とした

🇫🇷 à pois

🇪🇸 de lunares

🇹🇷 benekli

🇰🇷 점있는

🇸🇦 نقطي

🇨🇿 tečkovaný

🇸🇰 bodkovaný

🇨🇳 点状的

🇸🇮 pikčast

🇮🇸 punktóttur

🇰🇿 нүктелі

🇬🇪 ქულოვანი

🇦🇿 nöqtəli

🇲🇽 de lunares

Word origin

The term 'dotty' originates from the late 19th century, derived from the word 'dot', which historically has been used to describe someone who is silly or daft. The playful tone of 'dotty' likely comes from its phonetic resemblance to other words that convey a lighthearted sense of humor or foolishness. Over time, the usage of 'dotty' has evolved and it has entered the colloquial lexicon as a charming synonym for eccentricity. Its informal connotation has made it popular in British English, where it is commonly used to refer to harmless quirks or lovable oddities in a person. The word has also been associated with the idea of someone who may be forgetful or absent-minded, further contributing to its whimsical character.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,891, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.