Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small replica of a person; used as a toy: A child's toy, typically a doll.
   • Conveyance consisting of a wheeled platform for moving heavy objects: A low, wheeled cart or platform used for transporting heavy loads.
   • Conveyance consisting of a wheeled support on which a camera can be mounted: A piece of film or television equipment with wheels, used to move a camera smoothly during shooting.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Toy):
  • The little girl carried her dolly everywhere she went.
  • She asked for a new dolly for her birthday.
• Noun (Moving Platform):
  • The movers used a dolly to transport the refrigerator.
  • Please place those heavy boxes on the dolly.
• Noun (Camera Equipment):
  • The director called for a dolly shot to follow the actor.
  • The camera operator pushed the dolly along the track.

Advanced Usage

• "Dolly shot": A filming technique where the camera is moved toward or away from the subject on a dolly.
  • The famous scene begins with a slow dolly shot into the character's face.
• "Dolly in"/"Dolly out": Film direction terms for moving the camera closer to or farther from the subject using a dolly.
  • The cinematographer decided to dolly in for a more intimate feel.

Variants and Related Words

• Dolly grip (n): A member of the film crew responsible for operating the camera dolly.
  • The dolly grip executed the move perfectly.
• Dolly bird (n, dated, informal): An attractive, fashionable young woman (This is a dated, chiefly British slang term and is not related to the primary definitions).
  • The term "dolly bird" was popular in the 1960s.

Synonyms

• Doll: A small model of a human figure, used as a toy.
• Hand truck: A two-wheeled cart for moving heavy objects.
• Camera cart: A wheeled platform for a camera.

Related Phrases

• To dolly (verb, filmmaking): To move a camera on a dolly.
  • We need to dolly left to keep the actor in frame.
• On dolly: Being transported or supported by a dolly.
  • The grand piano is on dolly and ready to be moved.

Idioms

(No common idioms are directly formed with the word "dolly" in its core meanings. The word "dolly" itself can be a term of endearment for a doll.)

Noun

1. a small replica of a person; used as a toy
2. conveyance consisting of a wheeled platform for moving heavy objects
3. conveyance consisting of a wheeled support on which a camera can be mounted