poodle

noun

poo·​dle ˈpü-dᵊl 

plural poodles

1

: any of a breed of intelligent dogs that have a curly dense solid-colored coat and that are grouped into standard, miniature, and toy sizes see also miniature poodle, standard poodle, toy poodle

2

: a fabric with a nubby or coarsely looped surface that resembles a poodle's coat

called also poodle cloth

Examples of poodle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a two-story vaulted window with a view of the hillside, a keyboard, a sofa, crates for when Fleming drives up with his three rescue dogs (Daysy, Erik, and Luchie, two pit mixes and a miniature poodle), and a vintage Mork & Mindy poster on the wall. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026

Snead often brought her poodle Mina on assignment. —Dana Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 25 Feb. 2026

John Pittman of Saukville can tell you why Gerard is an award-winning poodle. —Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026

People-oriented and sensitive, standard poodles are great for active families who can keep up with their regular grooming. —Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Pudel, short for Pudelhund, from pudeln to splash + Hund dog

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poodle

• miniature poodle
• standard poodle
• toy poodle

Rhymes for poodle

• boodle
• doodle
• feudal
• noodle

Kids Definition

poodle

noun

poo·​dle ˈpüd-ᵊl 

: any of a breed of active intelligent dogs that have thick curly coats of solid color and that occur in three sizes

Etymology

from German Pudel, a shortened form of Pudelhund "poodle," from pudeln "to splash" and Hund "dog"

Word Origin

Poodles often have their coats cut in different patterns. Both their haircuts and their name go back to a time when poodles were kept not as house pets but as retrievers. Poodles were especially good at retrieving game in the water. The dogs were good swimmers, and they had heavy coats that kept them warm even in icy water. Hunters cut their dogs' hair shorter in a pattern that would make swimming easier. Cutting poodles' hair in a pattern soon became a tradition. The German name for this skillful swimmer was Pudelhund. This word combined pudeln, meaning "to splash," and hund, meaning "dog." It was then shortened to Pudel, which English borrowed as poodle.