dog

noun, often attributive

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\ 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)

transitive verb

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 combination In 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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Synonyms & Antonyms for dog

Synonyms: Noun

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

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

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 Pamper your dog at Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, with operations spanning five continents. — Jean Chen Smith, The Enquirer, 22 July 2021 Ellen Rigterink of Potomac, Md., lost her dog, Charlie Panda, in April. — Washington Post, 21 July 2021 Another dog, Curly Fry, was missing and believed to be dead. — Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 20 July 2021 Police said the dog, a 40-pound Labrador retriever mix, was grazed by a bullet. — Tom Steele, Dallas News, 19 July 2021 Ethan the dog, who captured the hearts of many in and around Louisville after he was found abandoned outside the Kentucky Humane Society, is facing long-term health issues, his family said in their latest update. — Mary Ramsey, The Courier-Journal, 19 July 2021 Labs are by far the most common dog, and arguably the best. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2021 Downward dog, child’s pose and tree pose are his go-to exercises. — Jen Murphy, WSJ, 17 July 2021 The Humane Society of Harford County in Fallston has also reached capacity and is offering $25 dog, cat and kitten adoptions during July. — Cameron Goodnight, baltimoresun.com, 16 July 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective State records show dog handler applications were submitted under ISS for dozens of guards. — Joe Mahr, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2019 Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com. — Southern Living, 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, 28 Apr. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Texas Governor Greg Abbott did not endear himself to dog lovers on either side of the aisle this week. — BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2021 The backdrop was in stark contrast to photos taken two years earlier at Oracle Park, where the section, thanks to the Giants, annually holds its championship game and where the Cardinals regularly dog pile after the final out. — Mitch Stephens, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 May 2021 The bigger and growing issue with Tatis is the rough-and-tumble intersection of his full-throttle game and injuries — all different, 148 games in — that continue to dog him. — Bryce Miller Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2021 Perhaps that is why, early on, Barbara became known as a bully, a characteristic that would dog her all her life. — Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2021 Earlier this morning, Berenberg, the German investment bank, lowered its full-year eurozone GDP by 0.3%, blaming the effects of lockdown and restrictions that continue to dog the bloc's biggest economies. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2021 Also, an arrest or conviction can dog people for years and thwart their job prospects. — Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2021 Whether the issue will dog him this campaign isn’t yet known. — Joshua Fechter, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 2021 Past quality problems also continue to dog the two Korean car manufacturers, denting earnings. — Ben Foldy, WSJ, 30 Dec. 2020

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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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near dog

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Last Updated

24 Jul 2021

Cite this Entry

“Dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog. Accessed 24 Jul. 2021.

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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