Illustration of dingo
dingo
noun
din·go
ˈdiŋ-(ˌ)gō 
plural dingoes
: a tan or reddish canid (Canis dingo) of Australia that is often considered a subspecies (C. lupus dingo) of the wolf or a subspecies (C. familiaris dingo) of the domestic dog
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An Australian wild dog, the dingo was apparently introduced from Asia 5,000–8,000 years ago. It has short, soft fur, a bushy tail, and erect, pointed ears. It is about 4 ft (1.2 m) long, including the 12-in (30-cm) tail, and stands about 24 in (60 cm) high. Its color varies between yellowish and reddish brown, often with white underparts, feet, and tail tip. Dingoes hunt alone or in small groups. They formerly preyed on kangaroos, but now feed mainly on rabbits and sometimes on livestock. Through competition for resources, they contributed to the extermination of the Tasmanian wolf and Tasmanian devil on the Australian mainland.
Examples of dingo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The autopsy results are putting a spotlight on dingoes.
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CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
It's become the boy who cried wolf, bear, moose, badger, wombat, elephant, natterjack toad, mandrel, meerkat, blue whale, lesser skink, prairie dog, ferret, wildebeest, dingo, tree kangaroo, sloth, anteater, blue-footed booby, Norwegian Blue, and half the catalog in the Museum of Natural History.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
The young woman’s remains were found encircled by about 10 dingoes, Australia's native wild dogs, on the beach north of Maheno Wreck, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie previously announced in a press conference.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
For just $42 Australian (about $27 US), visitors can explore the grounds and see koalas, dingoes, platypuses and lots of other kinds of animals living their best rescue lives.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
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CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
It's become the boy who cried wolf, bear, moose, badger, wombat, elephant, natterjack toad, mandrel, meerkat, blue whale, lesser skink, prairie dog, ferret, wildebeest, dingo, tree kangaroo, sloth, anteater, blue-footed booby, Norwegian Blue, and half the catalog in the Museum of Natural History.
—New Atlas, 24 Jan. 2026
The young woman’s remains were found encircled by about 10 dingoes, Australia's native wild dogs, on the beach north of Maheno Wreck, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie previously announced in a press conference.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026
For just $42 Australian (about $27 US), visitors can explore the grounds and see koalas, dingoes, platypuses and lots of other kinds of animals living their best rescue lives.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dingo
Cite this Entry
“Dingo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dingo. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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