dole

Money the government pays people who do not have a job.

• She is on the dole.
• He used his dole money to pay the electricity bill.
• How long have you been claiming dole?

How to use it: on the dole (He was on the dole for six months.)

Similar words: unemployment benefit

Common phrases: on the dole, claim dole, dole money

Money, food, or other things given to poor people to help them live.

• The parish provided a weekly dole.
• She depended on a small dole of bread and milk.
• The wealthy merchant offered doles to poor families.

How to use it: dole of something (Each family received a small dole of grain.)

Similar words: alms, handout

Common phrases: charitable dole, daily dole, dole of bread

The act of dividing things among people and giving each person a share.

• The dole began after the bells rang.
• Each household received its share at the general dole.
• The official supervised the dole of grain.

How to use it: dole of something (The dole of grain took place at dawn.)

Similar words: distribution, apportionment

Common phrases: equal dole, general dole, dole of grain

To give things to several people, often in small amounts.

• They dole out soup at noon.
• The manager doled out praise sparingly.
• Who will dole the tickets out to the children?

How to use it: dole out something (The volunteers dole out meals every evening.); dole something out to someone (They doled blankets out to families.)

Similar words: distribute, hand out, give out

Common phrases: dole out food, dole out money, dole out advice