dolly

Everyday

1. A dolly is a child's word for a doll. tree →
2. A dolly is a small low platform with wheels for moving heavy things or for moving a film camera smoothly. tree →
3. (UK, cricket) A dolly or dolly catch is a very easy catch. tree →
4. (old UK slang, sexist) A «dolly bird» was a rude-ish old word for a pretty young woman; it is not polite now. tree →

In the lessons

In little children's play; in film-making and moving house; in cricket commentary. Tells the reader of play, or of moving something heavy carefully. Phrases: rag dolly, dolly catch, camera dolly, dolly mixtures (a UK sweet).

Examples

• My little sister carries her rag dolly everywhere. tree →
• The movers used a dolly to wheel the fridge out. tree →
• The camera moved on a dolly along the track. tree →
• (UK, cricket) He dropped a dolly and the crowd groaned. tree →
• We bought a bag of dolly mixtures at the shop. tree →
• She tucked her dolly into the toy pram. tree →

Note

Plural dollies (y becomes ies). «Dolly» is cosier and more babyish than «doll». Dolly the sheep (1996) was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell — a name. Avoid «dolly bird»: it treats women as decorations.