bird-dog

verb \ ˈbərd-ˌdȯg \

Definition of bird-dog

intransitive verb

:to watch closely

transitive verb

:to seek out :follow, detect

bird-dog was our Word of the Day on 06/10/2008. Hear the podcast!

First Known Use of bird-dog

1943

bird-dog Synonyms

Synonyms

bird-dog, chase, course, dog, hound, pursue, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track, trail

Antonyms

guide, lead, pilot

Related Words

accompany, chaperone (or chaperon), escort; hunt, search (for), seek; eye, observe, watch

Near Antonyms

head

bird dog

noun

Definition of bird dog

1 :a gundog trained to hunt or retrieve birds

2 a :one (such as a canvasser or talent scout) who seeks out something for another

b :one who steals another's date

See bird dog defined for English-language learners

See bird dog defined for kids

First Known Use of bird dog

1776

BIRD-DOG Defined for English Language Learners

bird dog

noun

Definition of bird dog for English Language Learners

: a dog that has been trained to help people hunt birds

Learn More about bird-dog

See words that rhyme with bird-dog Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bird-dog

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bird-dog? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

bird-dog

Definition of bird-dog

From the M-W Editors

bird-dog was our Word of the Day on 06/10/2008. Hear the podcast!

First Known Use of bird-dog

bird-dog Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

bird dog

Definition of bird dog

First Known Use of bird dog

BIRD-DOG Defined for English Language Learners

bird dog

Definition of bird dog for English Language Learners

Learn More about bird-dog

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066