# dole

/ˈdoʊɫ/ (US) · /dˈəʊl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dole
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

money that the government gives to people who do not have a job. It is a casual way to talk about unemployment benefits.

For teachers: financial assistance provided by the state to individuals who are unemployed. Often used in the phrase 'on the dole' to describe the status of receiving such benefits.

## Examples

- He has been on the dole for six months.
- After the local factory closed down, many families in the village had to rely on the dole to pay their bills.
- The politician argued that increasing the dole would provide a necessary safety net, while critics claimed it might discourage people from seeking immediate employment.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with the definite article in the fixed expression 'on the dole'.

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