What does dolling mean?
"Dolling" is the present participle of the informal verb "doll," used almost exclusively in the phrase "doll up." It means to dress oneself or someone else in a noticeably attractive, stylish, or showy manner, often implying considerable effort or a touch of glamour beyond ordinary tidiness. Someone might spend hours dolling themselves up before a wedding, a party, or a big night out; the word can also be applied humorously to objects, as when an owner is caught dolling up a classic car before a show. The tone is playful and affectionate rather than critical, though it can carry a hint that the result looks overdone or theatrical. The phrase derives from "doll," evoking the idea of making someone look like a beautifully dressed toy. It is common in both British and American English and sits firmly in conversational register, rarely appearing in formal writing.
verbThe present participle of the verb 'doll' (usually 'doll up'), meaning to dress someone, or oneself, in an attractive or showy way.
- Present participle of 'doll' (up): dressing oneself or another in a showy, attractive, or elaborate way.
"She spent an hour dolling herself up for the gala."
"He was still dolling up his vintage car when the parade started."
"The actresses spent the afternoon dolling themselves up for the awards ceremony."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dolling
The word derives from "doll," a pet form of the female name Dorothy that came to mean a small model of a human figure by the late seventeenth century. By extension, calling a person a "doll" suggested they were attractive and pleasingly presented, and from this the verb "doll" arose, meaning to dress up neatly or elaborately. The extended form "doll up" became the standard idiom, so "dolling" today almost always appears as part of "dolling up." Its cognates are simply other derivatives of "doll," such as "dollhouse" and "dollish."
Related word forms
How dolling is actually used
Almost always used with the adverbial particle 'up' ('dolling up') rather than alone; the register is informal and slightly playful, often implying more effort or flashiness than simple elegance.
Easily confused with dolling
'Dawdling' means wasting time or moving slowly, whereas 'dolling' means dressing attractively.