ENGLISH
REFERENCE

doses

n.
US //ˈdoʊsəz// UK //dˈəʊsɪz// dos·es
  1. 1 amounts of medicine (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    measured amounts of a medicine that you take at one time.

    plural of 'dose'; specific, measured quantities of a therapeutic agent taken at one time or at stated intervals.

    Example

    The doctor told her to take two doses of the cough syrup every day.

    Example

    Clinical trials demonstrated that patients receiving smaller, more frequent doses experienced fewer side effects than those on the standard daily regimen.

    Usage

    Usually used with the preposition 'of'.
  2. 2 amounts of something unpleasant (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an amount of something, often something you do not like, that you experience.

    plural of 'dose'; figurative use referring to an experience of something, typically something disagreeable or unavoidable.

    Example

    After several doses of bad luck, the team finally won a game.

    Example

    The documentary provides heavy doses of reality regarding the environmental impact of fast fashion on developing nations.

Last updated June 20, 2026