benefits paid by the government to the unemployed, a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance, to distribute in charity, to give out sparingly or in small quantities

on the dole, dole out, dole queue

Formal and Informal Expressions of dole

In different contexts, you can replace 'dole' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'allowance, relief' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'handout, giveaway' is a commonplace synonym.

dole: Explore its Definition & Usage

dole Definition

1benefits paid by the government to the unemployed
2a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance
3to distribute in charity
4to give out sparingly or in small quantities

Using dole: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "dole" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
He is living on the dole.
Example
The charity doled out food and blankets to the homeless.
Example
She doled out small portions of soup to the hungry children.
Example
The government has increased the dole for the unemployed.

dole Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for dole

Antonyms for dole

Phrases with dole

on the dole
receiving unemployment benefits from the government
Example
After losing his job, he had to go on the dole to make ends meet.
dole out
to distribute something, especially money or food, to a group of people
Example
The organization doled out blankets and warm clothing to the refugees.
dole queue
a line of people waiting to receive unemployment benefits from the government
Example
The dole queue outside the job center was getting longer every day.

Origins of dole

from Old English 'dāl', meaning 'division, portion'

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Summary: dole in Brief

'Dole' [doʊl] refers to benefits paid by the government to the unemployed, or a portion of money, food, etc., given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance. It can also mean to distribute in charity or to give out sparingly or in small quantities. Examples include 'He is living on the dole' and 'The charity doled out food and blankets to the homeless.' 'Dole' extends into phrases like 'on the dole,' referring to receiving unemployment benefits, and 'dole out,' meaning to distribute something to a group of people.