dotty

1
[ dot-ee ]
See synonyms for: dottydottiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,dot·ti·er, dot·ti·est.Informal.
  1. crazy or eccentric.

  2. feeble or unsteady in gait.

  1. very enthusiastic or infatuated (usually followed by about or over).

Origin of dotty

1
1805–15; perhaps dott(ard) variant of dotard + -y1

Other words from dotty

  • dot·ti·ly, adverb
  • dot·ti·ness, noun

Words Nearby dotty

Other definitions for dotty (2 of 2)

dotty2
[ dot-ee ]

adjective,dot·ti·er, dot·ti·est.
  1. marked with dots; dotted.

Origin of dotty

2
First recorded in 1805–15; dot1 + -y1

Other words from dotty

  • dot·ti·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dotty in a sentence

  • dotty unrolled herself from the curtain with a triumphant smile.

    Prudy Keeping House | Sophie May
  • dotty tried to think there might be time enough, after all, to find the rings.

    Prudy Keeping House | Sophie May
  • At the mention of rings, dotty blushed, and stole a glance at Mrs. Allen.

    Prudy Keeping House | Sophie May
  • Why, dotty, I've excused you to Mrs. Pragoff, and it wouldn't be polite to go now.

    Prudy Keeping House | Sophie May

British Dictionary definitions for dotty

dotty

/ (ˈdɒtɪ) /


adjective-tier or -tiest
  1. slang, mainly British feeble-minded; slightly crazy

  2. British slang (foll by about) extremely fond (of)

  1. marked with dots

Origin of dotty

1
C19: from dot 1 : sense development of 1 from meaning of "unsteady on one's feet"

Derived forms of dotty

  • dottily, adverb
  • dottiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012