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
• tag, rag, 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