dog

noun, often attributive

\ ˈdȯg

, ˈdäg

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)

informal

: extremely, utterly dog cheap —sometimes used in combinationIn plain West Virginia-speak, the situation is dog-ugly.— Mitch Vingle — see also dog-tired

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

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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 Meal deliveries are Monday-Friday between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The nonprofit also has a holiday food drive and needs donations of nonperishable food, toiletries and dog and cat food to fill about 70 boxes. — Emma Austin, The Courier-Journal, "How and where to volunteer in Louisville during the holiday season," 13 Nov. 2019 Domestic animals, including pets such as dogs and cats, are also less well-suited to severe cold than native wildlife. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Early cold and snow may be disruptive to us, but animals have it all figured out," 13 Nov. 2019 Once again, dogs and divers were unable to retrieve remains from the water. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Gone without a trace? Misery, mystery linger in these Alabama missing child cases," 12 Nov. 2019 Police then searched the woods around the cabin with dogs and thermal imaging cameras, but did not locate anyone. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Missing Southfield woman involved in shootout Up North before disappearance," 10 Nov. 2019 Until the center starts to rebuild its facility later this year, its most pressing need is for visitors to play with the animals: cats, dogs and two piglets. — Andrea Sachs, chicagotribune.com, "In the Bahamas, a hard-hit island beckons again," 8 Nov. 2019 Whether no one's around but your dog or you like the freedom of being able to run an unforeseen errand without making a full costume change, there's loungewear that fits your wants and needs. — Allure, "15 Loungewear Sets That Are as Stylish as They Are Cozy," 2 Nov. 2019 Some even plan to make their dogs and cats suffer the fate of being forced into goblin or Spiderman outfits. — Don Babwin, The Denver Post, "Halloween plans across the country, from candy to costumed pets," 31 Oct. 2019 In our first session, sitting in cozy chairs while her dog napped in the corner, my nutritionist laid out the principles of intuitive eating. — Lauren Strapagiel, SELF, "Intuitive Eating Is Transformative and Also Not As Intuitive As It Sounds," 31 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective State records show dog handler applications were submitted under ISS for dozens of guards. — Joe Mahr, chicagotribune.com, "CTA pulls security dogs from system, amid questions about whether guards were properly trained," 1 Aug. 2019 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 The dual-loyalty accusations have dogged Jews across time and across the globe. — Pamela S. Nadell, Quartz, "A history of American antisemitism," 12 Nov. 2019 The dual-loyalty accusations have dogged Jews across time and across the globe. — Pamela S. Nadell, The Conversation, "Anti-Semitism in the US today is a variation on an old theme," 7 Nov. 2019 Johnson is likely to be dogged by Britain’s divisive — and stalled — departure from the EU throughout his three-day trip to the U.N.'s annual gathering of world leaders. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Johnson says he’ll tell Trump: Hands off UK health service," 23 Sep. 2019 Besides responding to past mistakes that continue to dog the company, Khosrowshahi said Uber is still willing to experiment and take risks. — Eric Newcomer, Fortune, "Uber CEO Says It ‘Sure Looked Like’ Levandowski Took Google’s Files," 29 Aug. 2019 Nonetheless, challenges from competitors like Netflix Inc. continue to dog studios and exhibitors struggling to get consumers out of the house. — Erich Schwartzel, WSJ, "‘Aquaman’ Continues Box-Office Reign as ‘Vice’ Sputters," 31 Dec. 2018 More than 50 British organizations are involved in the protests, which aim to dog the president at nearly every stop of his visit. — Ceylan Yeginsu, BostonGlobe.com, "Big protests greet Trump in Britain," 13 July 2018 Pruitt also continues to be dogged by ethical issues. — David Lauter, latimes.com, "The Trump administration sure does sell books," 20 Apr. 2018 The recent protests against Labour are only the latest to dog the party under Corbyn’s leadership. — Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Anti-Semitism stains Labour, Corbyn again. Why does this keep happening?," 10 Apr. 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.

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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

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