doddery
adjective C2
Plain meaning
weak, slow, or unsteady, often because of old age
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe weak, slow, or unsteady, often because of old age, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded doddery, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a doddery assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a doddery responsedoddery behavioura doddery situation
Watch out
Do not use “very doddery” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
dodderyness (noun, where natural)dodderyly (adverb, where natural)