: any of a breed of energetic working dogs developed in Australia from British sheepdogs
: a water sprite of Scottish folklore that delights in or brings about the drowning of wayfarers
Examples of kelpie in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Al, however, seemed partial to the kelpies, shape-shifting water sprites which most often appear in the form of a horse luring the unsuspecting to watery graves.
—Patti Nickell, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
At first the dog was said to be a German shepherd mix confined in a closet, but this was later corrected to being an Australian kelpie mix in a crate.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Traditionally, herding duties are carried out by breeds specifically selected for the job, such as border collies and Australian kelpies.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Gene Hackman's Wife Betsy Searched Online About COVID Symptoms Before Dying of Hantavirus
Gene and Betsy's bodies were discovered along with the body of one of their dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, in Santa Fe Summit in February.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
California Gene Hackman died of heart disease, his wife of hantavirus days earlier, officials say
March 7, 2025
One of the couple’s three dogs, an Australian kelpie mix named Zinna, was found dead in a crate in their home when the couple were discovered on Feb. 26.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
An examination of the kelpie mix, named Zinnia, found that dehydration and starvation were likely behind the pup's demise.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But the dead dog is now believed to be their Australian kelpie mix, Joey Padilla, owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility which is involved in the surviving dogs’ care, said to The Associated Press.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
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Noun
Maeve learns that the legends she was raised on — stories of faeries, kelpies and seelies — are actually true.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Al, however, seemed partial to the kelpies, shape-shifting water sprites which most often appear in the form of a horse luring the unsuspecting to watery graves.
—Patti Nickell, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
At first the dog was said to be a German shepherd mix confined in a closet, but this was later corrected to being an Australian kelpie mix in a crate.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Traditionally, herding duties are carried out by breeds specifically selected for the job, such as border collies and Australian kelpies.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Gene Hackman's Wife Betsy Searched Online About COVID Symptoms Before Dying of Hantavirus
Gene and Betsy's bodies were discovered along with the body of one of their dogs, a kelpie mix named Zinna, in Santa Fe Summit in February.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025
California Gene Hackman died of heart disease, his wife of hantavirus days earlier, officials say
March 7, 2025
One of the couple’s three dogs, an Australian kelpie mix named Zinna, was found dead in a crate in their home when the couple were discovered on Feb. 26.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
An examination of the kelpie mix, named Zinnia, found that dehydration and starvation were likely behind the pup's demise.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
But the dead dog is now believed to be their Australian kelpie mix, Joey Padilla, owner of the Santa Fe Tails pet care facility which is involved in the surviving dogs’ care, said to The Associated Press.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kelpie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kelpie. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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