doddery

/'dɔdəriɳ/ Cách viết khác : (doddery) /'dɔdəri/

Thân thiện

The old man walked in a doddery manner across the garden.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Physically weak and unsteady, especially due to old age: Describes someone, typically elderly, whose body movements are shaky, slow, and unstable.
   • Mentally feeble or slow due to advanced age: Can also imply a decline in mental sharpness or alertness associated with aging.

Usage

The adjective "doddery" is used to describe the frail physical or mental state of an elderly person. It often carries a tone of sympathy or objective description, though it can be perceived as slightly informal or undignified. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "be" or "become").

Examples

• The doddery old man needed a cane to walk across the room.
• She had become quite doddery in her nineties, but her mind was still sharp.
• He helped the doddery gentleman get off the bus.

Advanced Usage

• "doddery old fool": A somewhat derogatory, though often affectionate, phrase for an elderly person perceived as acting in a foolish or confused manner.
  • Don't mind him, he's just a doddery old fool who likes to tell the same stories.

Variants and Related Words

• Doddering (adj): A direct synonym, identical in meaning and usage.
  • His doddering steps worried his family.
• Dodder (verb): To move or act in a shaky, feeble, or unsteady manner.
  • She doddered slowly towards the armchair.

Synonyms

• Decrepit: Worn out or ruined because of age or neglect.
• Feeble: Lacking physical strength, especially due to age or illness.
• Frail: (Of a person) weak and delicate.
• Shaky: Trembling or unsteady.
• Senile: Showing a decline in cognitive abilities associated with old age (specifically mental, whereas "doddery" often implies physical unsteadiness).

Antonyms

• Agile: Able to move quickly and easily.
• Nimble: Quick and light in movement or action.
• Steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving.
• Vigorous: Strong, healthy, and full of energy.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. mentally or physically infirm with age
   • his mother was doddering and frail

Từ đồng nghĩa

• doddering
• gaga
• senile