dog

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈdȯg , ˈdäg \

Definition of dog

1 a :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

2 a :a worthless or contemptible person

b :fellow, chap

a lazy dog

you lucky dog

3 a :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 1

bought two dogs and a beer

—

doglike

play \ˈdȯg-ˌlīk\ adjective

See dog defined for English-language learners

See dog defined for kids

Examples of dog in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of dog from the Web

The testing proved successful, leading authorities to the Brinks’ two boxer dogs.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Hounds roamed a Missouri town, and a bicyclist was killed. Now dog owners owe $300,000," 30 Aug. 2017
The event includes free bowling, hot dogs and Pepsi for kids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Manor Lanes Bowling, 1517 NE 26th St., Fort Lauderdale (manorlanesfl.com).

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Free zoo, bowling and crafts events," 30 Aug. 2017
And Kraft Heinz Foods Co. is working to clean up its hot dogs.

— Fortune, "Why Your Doritos, Ruffles and Funyuns Might Be Different at Whole Foods," 30 Aug. 2017
Hot dogs will be available for those who don't like fish.

— annie alleman, Lake County News-Sun, "Fox Lake starts up new fishing fest," 30 Aug. 2017
Cases and cases of water are lined up in the front of the bay, with non-perishable food, cat and dog food, toiletries and large medical items along the wall all the way to the back of the station.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Donations pour in to Bel Air fire company for Harvey victims," 30 Aug. 2017
Last week, the Boise shelter took in 50 dogs from San Antonio Pets Alive, a transfer that had been planned for weeks, IHS spokeswoman Allison Maier said.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Here’s how you can help Houston flood victims," 29 Aug. 2017
Bowling has traditionally been rundown alleys and hot dogs and hamburgers.

— shonda talerico dudlicek, Aurora Beacon-News, "These spots will bowl you over," 25 Aug. 2017
Forget about a dog house because this pup has his own personal room—

— katina beniaris, Country Living, "This Man Built His Dog the Coziest Bedroom Under the Stairs," 23 Aug. 2017

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.

Illustration of dog

Origin and Etymology of dog

Middle English, from Old English docga

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

dog Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

cur, mongrel, mutt; bitch; lapdog, pup, puppy, puppy dog, whelp; bandog, bird dog, coonhound, courser, gundog, hunter, sheepdog, sled dog, watchdog, wolf dog, wolfhound; guide dog, police dog, working dog

Near Antonyms

hero, heroine, idol, role model; gentleman, lady; angel, saint

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

dog

adjective

Definition of dog

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

Recent Examples of dog from the Web

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
Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com.

— Southern Living, "Source Guide - September 2013," 1 Sep. 2013

Origin and Etymology of dog

see ¹dog

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

dog

verb

Definition of dog

dogged play \ˈdȯgd, ˈdägd\; dogging

transitive verb

1 a :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 ¹dog 3a)

dogged down the hatch

— dog it

:to fail to do one's best :goldbrick

See dog defined for English-language learners

Examples of dog in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of dog from the Web

On Monday, the Chicago Public Schools announced that a pilot program launched last year in which students are taught about a police torture scandal that has dogged the city and the police department.

— don babwin, The Seattle Times, "Chicago schools adding police torture scandal to curriculum," 28 Aug. 2017
A key issue that has dogged randomized controlled trials of MDMA and other mind-altering drugs is how to minimize bias.

— kai kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "All clear for the decisive trial of ecstasy in PTSD patients," 27 Aug. 2017
The requirement was a response to a wave of corruption cases that had dogged the agency during a hiring spree from 2003 to 2009 that doubled the size of the Border Patrol and CBP.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "CBP wasted $5 million on lie detector tests for unqualified candidates, report finds," 14 Aug. 2017
Several U.S. presidents in a row have been dogged by either the contrarian Senator Rand Paul or, before him, his father, Representative Ron Paul.

— richard m. langworth, National Review, "How Would Churchill Tweet?," 12 Aug. 2017
But that didn’t change humans’ animal reaction of fear, which dogged eclipses into modern times.

— sarah scoles, Discover Magazine, "Eclipse 2017: Mind Melt," 7 Aug. 2017
Dogged with hallucinations and haunted by traumatic memories, Tray and Sarah fumbled separately through Cameron Cave.

— patrick blanchfield, Esquire, "Shot in the Dark," 1 Aug. 2017
However, he is dogged by corruption allegations and has already run unsuccessfully for president four times.

— The Economist, "The lion at bayWould-be successors to the ailing Nigerian president are circling," 20 July 2017
Again On multiple occasions, Patterson has drawn parallels to the questions surrounding this year’s team and the doubts that dogged the 2014 squad heading into its turnaround season.

— jimmy burch, star-telegram, "TCU eyes turnaround season to enhance coach’s legacy," 12 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of dog

see ¹dog

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1519

See Words from the same year

dog Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

guide, lead, pilot

Related Words

accompany, chaperone (or chaperon), escort; hunt, search (for), seek; eye, observe, watch

Near Antonyms

head

dog

adverb

Definition of dog

:extremely, utterly

dog-tired

Origin and Etymology of dog

see ¹dog

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1526

See Words from the same year

DOG Defined for Kids

dog

play

noun \ ˈdȯg \

Definition of dog for Students

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 1

You lucky dog!

—

doglike

\ˈdȯ-ˌglīk\ adjective

dog

verb

Definition of dog for Students

dogged; dogging

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.

Medical Dictionary

dog

play

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