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

Keep scrolling for more

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

There’s hair and makeup magic involved, sure, but there’s also her adorable dog Chili, who stays by her side and calms her nerves ahead of any event that involves stepping in front of the cameras. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "Why Suki Waterhouse Wore Richard Quinn to Her Big Movie Premiere," 3 May 2019 Similar to human commercial DNA tests, tracing your dog's canine heritage is relatively quick and painless. — Popular Mechanics, "Discover Your Dog's Canine Heritage With This DNA Kit," 2 May 2019 Pippa Middleton is regularly spotted walking in London with her new baby, Arthur, and her two dogs. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Pippa Middleton Looks Effortlessly Chic in a Blue Tweed Coat on a Walk with Her Baby and Dogs," 1 May 2019 Married 32 years, the Moehnkes and their two dogs, Coco and Belle, live in a 47-year-old mobile home in rural Southwest Washington. — Jonel Aleccia, The Seattle Times, "State laws ban surprise medical bills. A Washington woman got one for $227,000 — and fought back.," 30 Mar. 2019 The private Stubbe home on the property, where Friedel and Carolina live with their two dogs, is in itself a masterpiece. — David Jefferys, Condé Nast Traveler, "Puerto Rico's Dorado Beach Is a Bit of Bali, Three Hours from Home," 12 Nov. 2018 Last week, the former Virginia state senator was accused of making Congressional staffers pick up groceries, chauffer his children and clean up after his dog, according to a report in Politico. — Fox News, "Virginia Rep. Tom Garrett will not seek re-election: 'I'm an alcoholic'," 2 Oct. 2018 Homer Donehue was walking his dog on the South Side block where he's lived for more than 50 years when a gunman dressed in black and wearing a ski mask walked up and opened fire Thursday night, according to Chicago police. — Hannah Leone, chicagotribune.com, "82-year-old man shot in Chatham: 'It's senseless nonsense and it has to stop'," 13 July 2018 At least once a week, even in the wintertime, Estes and Zmudzinski would drive from their home in Riverwest to Grant Park's Seven Bridges Trail to walk their dogs, Kilo and Pierre. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Trader Nick's South Shore Inn in Cudahy doesn't mess around when it comes to rum," 12 July 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

Speaking for fewer than 10 minutes, Mr. Bolsonaro sought to legitimize his three-week-old government, which has been dogged by criticism abroad over his statements on human rights and the environment. — Jeffrey T. Lewis, WSJ, "Brazil’s New President Takes Measured Tone in Davos Address," 22 Jan. 2019 Despite its high-profile and heavy STEM outreach in the UK, funding is what dogged Bloodhound SSC. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Bad news for the 1,000mph car as Bloodhound SSC is shut down," 11 Dec. 2018 The exercise, which the service uses to demonstrate its ability to sortie large numbers of planes, was a first for the F-35, which has been dogged by readiness problems. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "U.S. Air Force Has First F-35 'Elephant Walk' Mass Drill," 20 Nov. 2018 Marches against anti-Semitism were due to take place across France on Tuesday, including one led by government ministers, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks to distance himself from the protesters who have dogged him for months. — Noemie Bisserbe, WSJ, "Jewish Graves Vandalized in France Ahead of March Against Anti-Semitism," 19 Feb. 2019 In the past, women candidates were told to rise above the semi-scandalous narratives that dogged them. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Women Will Never Truly Be Equal Until They're Allowed to Get Angry," 13 Feb. 2019 Since taking office, he’s been dogged by investigations and staff turnover. — Catherine Lucey, The Seattle Times, "Victory lap and accolades: Trump has, perhaps, best day ever," 26 Mar. 2019 Fraudulent trading volume has dogged cryptocurrency trading for years, but the extent of the market manipulation has been difficult to determine. — Paul Vigna, WSJ, "Most Bitcoin Trading Faked by Unregulated Exchanges, Study Finds," 22 Mar. 2019 Point-shaving scandals have dogged college basketball for generations, from CCNY in the 1950s to Boston College in the 1970s to Tulane in the 1980s. — Erik Brady, USA TODAY, "Legalized sports betting will wreak havoc on college athletics. Or not.," 31 May 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

Keep scrolling for more

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