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Definition of doddering

doddering

/ˈdɑː.dɚ.ɪŋ/
dod · der · ing
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doddering Lexical Profile

doddering Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Trembling, unsteady, and weak, typically as a result of advanced old age.

Example

"The actor gave a convincing performance as a doddering old nobleman struggling to climb the palace stairs."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

"Doddering" carries a somewhat disparaging or patronizing connotation when describing elderly individuals, often implying mental decline alongside physical unsteadiness.

• Nearby Words

documenter
docuseries
dodderer
doddering
doddery
dodecatheon
dodge

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the early 17th-century verb "dodder" (meaning to tremble or totter), a dialectal variant of "dadder," which is likely of imitative or Low German origin.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doddering. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doddering
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