dolly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (toy sense); Technical/Specialized (camera, moving equipment senses)
Quick answer
What does “dolly” mean?
A child's toy representing a human figure, typically a baby.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A child's toy representing a human figure, typically a baby.
1. A low, wheeled platform for moving heavy objects. 2. A movable platform for a film or television camera. 3. A small cup or container used for holding a wine sample. 4. (Historical/Slang) A charming or attractive woman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties share the same core and technical meanings. 'Dolly bird' (an attractive, stylish young woman) is a dated British slang term largely absent from AmE.
Connotations
In both, the toy sense carries connotations of childhood. The technical senses are neutral. In BrE, 'on the dolly' is old-fashioned rhyming slang for 'on the trolley' meaning 'crazy'.
Frequency
The toy sense is common in both. The camera/platform senses are specialist but understood. The 'wine thief' sense is niche oenology terminology, not widely known.
Grammar
How to Use “dolly” in a Sentence
Verb + dolly: push/load/move using a dolly.Adjective + dolly: camera/hand/portable dolly.Dolly + verb: The dolly creaked under the weight.Dolly + noun: dolly grip (film crew role).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dolly” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The crew will dolly the camera in for a close-up.
American English
- They need to dolly the fridge across the kitchen floor.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- He's the best dolly grip on the set. (film term)
American English
- (No common adjectival use outside of specific compounds like 'dolly shot')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in logistics/warehousing for moving equipment.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in film studies texts for 'dolly shot'.
Everyday
Common for the toy. Understood for moving heavy items.
Technical
Standard in film/TV production (camera dolly) and logistics (hand dolly).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dolly”
- Using 'dolly' as a generic term for any doll (it often implies a traditional baby doll).
- Confusing 'dolly' (tool) with 'trolley' (BrE) or 'cart' (AmE) in non-specialist contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
For the toy sense, yes, but 'dolly' often specifically connotes a simpler, often baby-like doll, whereas 'doll' is the hypernym for all such toys.
It's any shot where the camera moves smoothly towards, away from, or alongside the subject, typically on wheels (a dolly).
The term 'dolly bird' is very dated British slang from the 1960s and is now considered archaic and potentially patronising. It is not used in modern, respectful speech.
In logistics, they are similar. A 'dolly' is often a flat, four-wheeled platform, while a 'hand truck' (AmE) or 'sack truck' (BrE) is typically two-wheeled with a ledge and handle for tilting loads.
A child's toy representing a human figure, typically a baby.
Dolly is usually informal (toy sense); technical/specialized (camera, moving equipment senses) in register.
Dolly: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒli/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːli/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dolly mixture (BrE: a type of small, colourful sweet).”
- “Dolly bird (BrE, dated: a stylish young woman).”
- “Dolly shot (Cinematography: a moving camera shot).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Dolly' Parton song. She moves smoothly on stage like a camera on a DOLLY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SMALL/INANIMATE THING IS A CHILD'S TOY (extended to tools: a small, manageable tool is a 'dolly').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common meaning of 'dolly'?