dog

noun, often attributive

\ ˈdȯg

Definition of dog

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : canid wolves, foxes, and other dogs especially : a highly variable domestic mammal (Canis familiaris) closely related to the gray wolf the family's pet dog

b : a male dog dogs and bitches also : a male usually carnivorous mammal

2a : a worthless or contemptible person

b : fellow, chap a lazy dog you lucky dog

3a : any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook

b : andiron

4 : uncharacteristic or affected stylishness or dignity put on the dog

5 capitalized, astronomy : either of the constellations Canis Major or Canis Minor

6 dogs plural, anatomy : feet rest his tired dogs

7 dogs plural : ruin going to the dogs

8 : one inferior of its kind the movie was a dog : such as

a : an investment not worth its price

b : an undesirable piece of merchandise

9 : an unattractive person especially : an unattractive girl or woman

10 : hot dog sense 1 bought two dogs and a beer

dog

adjective

Definition of dog (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : canine dog breeders a dog collar

2 : having an inferior or inauthentic quality : spurious dog rhyme especially, languages : unlike that used by native speakers or writers dog Latin dog French

dog

verb

dogged\ ˈdȯgd

, ˈdägd \; dogging

Definition of dog (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : to hunt, track, or follow like a hound dogged her every move

b : to worry as if by pursuit with dogs : plague dogged by his past failures

c : to bother or pester persistently dogged him about his grades

2 : to fasten with a simple mechanical device consisting of a spike, bar, or hook : to fasten with a dog (see dog entry 1 sense 3a) dogged down the hatch

dog it

: to fail to do one's best : goldbrick

dog

adverb

Definition of dog (Entry 4 of 4)

: extremely, utterly dog-tired

Other Words from dog Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dog

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Synonyms & Antonyms for dog

Synonyms: Noun

canine, doggy (or doggie), hound, pooch, tyke (also tike)

Synonyms: Verb

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

Antonyms: Verb

guide, lead, pilot

Examples of dog in a Sentence

Noun

That dog barks all day long. children playing with the family dog wild dogs such as the Australian dingo They say she's a real dog. Her latest book turned out to be a real dog. That was a dog of a movie.

Verb

He dogged her every move. Creditors dogged him until he finally paid his bills.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Both dogs and sheep were able to get to the end of the maze more quickly. — Caren Chesler, Popular Mechanics, "A Vision Quest," 6 Mar. 2019 Who in their right mind would wriggle into stiff selvage denim and zero-stretch vintage 501s when leggings—which do so much more than hold me during downward dogs and spin classes—exist? — Alexandra Ilyashov, Glamour, "A Case For Wearing Maternity Jeans When You’re Not Pregnant," 6 Dec. 2018 Much of the collection itself was inspired by dogs, too. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Lela Rose Staged a Dog Show and a Fashion Show All in One," 12 Feb. 2019 Here's how flying with dogs, cats, parakeets, porcupines and more will change in 2019: More fliers will travel with their pets. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Flying With Pets Will Change in 2019," 14 Dec. 2018 Fido, the dog under the table, is a symbol of faith and fidelity as well as a beloved family pet. — Victoria Dalkey, sacbee, "Crocker showcases diversity of Eduardo Carrillo's work, from realism to myth and fantasy," 6 July 2018 One day in November, Luca watched intently while boys Reese and Grayson romped through the house with Jorgensen’s dog, labradoodle Brandi. — Katherine Long, The Seattle Times, "A Kirkland mother’s anguished phone call brings help she never imagined," 9 Dec. 2018 Sniffer dogs—Alsatians and Irish spaniels—are trained to root out ammunition, rhino horn, and weapons stashed in trucks and cars. — Helena Pozniak, Popular Mechanics, "The Technology That Will Finally Stop Poachers," 26 Nov. 2018 Stray dogs, who occasionally darted across the road, patrolled the shoulders (where there were shoulders). — Paul Brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "Want Serious Bragging Rights? Do a Road Trip Across Borneo," 16 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com. — Southern Living, "Source Guide - September 2013," 1 Sep. 2013 For entertainment, there will be dog races, a police K-9 demonstration, dogs splashing into water and Repticon, a showing of exotic pets, consisting of reptiles, insects and amphibians. — Louis Casiano Jr., Orange County Register, "Meet and greet canines and critters, from furry to feathered, at Pet Expo in Costa Mesa," 28 Apr. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Yet conflicts and lawsuits have dogged the project. — Lesley M.m. Blume, Town & Country, "Inside Frank Gehry's Overhaul of Garden of Allah, L.A.’s Most Infamous Corner," 25 Feb. 2019 Sympathetic stealth violence The vision of Lara as a dogged, tenacious survivor clashes inexorably with the competing vision of her as a cold-blooded and ruthless jungle predator. — Daniel Starkey, Ars Technica, "Shadow of the Tomb Raider review: Fighting for my life and loving it," 10 Sep. 2018 Who owns it Concern over what happens with the data after it's used to reunify the families has dogged the process. — Alan Gomez, USA TODAY, "DNA tests on children separated at border from family: few answers, lots of questions," 9 July 2018 The company has little use for honesty — Cassius gets caught in multiple lies during his interview and gets hired anyway — but happily rewards those employees with a gift for dogged, mindless persistence. — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Review: Boots Riley's 'Sorry to Bother You' is an arrestingly surreal satire on class rage and cultural identity," 5 July 2018 The show had also been dogged by controversial attempts to shorten its runtime. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Oscars 2019: winners, nominations, and biggest moments," 12 Dec. 2018 It would be dogged by controversy over which question—and which options—to put on the ballot. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Accountability for Brexit," 15 Jan. 2019 Hunter has long been dogged by serious legal and ethics scandals. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "The 4 Republican scandals that could tip the 2018 midterms, explained," 5 Nov. 2018 Like most stars, she was dogged by rumors about her love life, including her sexuality, and the film’s subjects confirm Whitney’s queerness and her relationship with close friend Robyn. — Katie Walsh, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Whitney Houston doc is raw and revealing," 5 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dog.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of dog

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1526, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for dog

dog

noun

\ ˈdȯg

Kids Definition of dog

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a domestic animal that eats meat and is closely related to the wolves

2 : any of the group of mammals (as wolves, foxes, and jackals) to which the domestic dog belongs

3 : person sense 1 You lucky dog!

dog

verb

dogged; dogging

Kids Definition of dog (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to hunt, track, or follow like a hound I dogged them all the way.

2 : pester

3 : to cause problems for Injuries dogged the team.

dog

noun, often attributive

\ ˈdȯg

Medical Definition of dog

: a highly variable carnivorous domesticated mammal of the genus Canis (C. familiaris) closely related to the common wolf (Canis lupus) broadly : any member of the family Canidae