bobtail

noun

bob·​tail ˈbäb-ˌtāl 

1

a

: a bobbed tail

b

: a horse, dog, or cat with a bobbed or very short tail

especially : old english sheepdog

2

: something curtailed

bobtail adjective

or bobtailed

ˈbäb-ˌtāld 

Examples of bobtail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other talkative breeds include the oriental shorthair, the Balinese, the Japanese bobtail, the Tonkinese, the Burmese, the sphynx, and the Bengal. — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026

Hawaii is home to several squid species, including the Hawaiian bobtail squid. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2025

Tate, 27, was spending time with her 13-week-old bobtail kitten, Midas, who is usually a blur of motion and mischief from dawn till dusk. — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025

The most vocal breeds include Siamese, Oriental, Balinese, Bengal, American bobtail, Siberian, Turkish Van, Ocicat, Peterbald, and Turkish Angora. — Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

bob entry 4

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bobtail

• ragtag and bobtail
• tagrag and bobtail

Rhymes for bobtail

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

bobtail

noun

bob·​tail -ˌtāl 

1

: a short or bobbed tail

2

: a horse, dog, or cat with a short or bobbed tail

bobtail adjective

or bobtailed

-ˌtāld