mongrel

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noun mon·grel \ ˈmäŋ-grəl , ˈməŋ- \

Definition of mongrel

1 :an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds (see ²breed 1) or strains (see ¹strain 1); especially :one of unknown ancestry

She owns several dogs, one of which is a mongrel.

2 :a cross between types of persons or things

the cinema is … a mongrel of virtually all the other arts
—Gerald Mast

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mongrel

adjective

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mongrelization

play \ˌmäŋ-grə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌməŋ-\ noun

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mongrelize

play \ˈmäŋ-grə-ˌlīz, ˈməŋ-\ transitive verb

See mongrel defined for English-language learners

See mongrel defined for kids

Examples of mongrel in a Sentence

She owns several dogs, including a mongrel named Stella.
mongrels often suffer fewer health problems than purebreds

Recent Examples of mongrel from the Web

In a sense, the painting that emerged in the early ’80s was mongrel and illegitimate.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Painting From the 1980s, When Brash Met Flash," 9 Feb. 2017
Who will buy this mongrel, the poor Alex with its lack of functionality, its short battery life (just six hours with the color screen in use) and its almost-iPad price-tag?

— charlie sorrel, WIRED, "Too Late? $400 Alex E-Reader Now for Pre-Order," 16 Mar. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mongrel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mongrel

Middle English, probably from mong mixture, short for ymong, from Old English gemong crowd — more at among

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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mongrel Synonyms

Synonyms

cross, crossbred, crossbreed, intercross, hybrid

Related Words

mule; outcross; half-bred; mulatto

Near Antonyms

full-blood, pureblood, purebred, thoroughbred

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

MONGREL Defined for English Language Learners

mongrel

play

noun

Definition of mongrel for English Language Learners

: a dog with parents of different breeds

MONGREL Defined for Kids

mongrel

play

noun mon·grel \ ˈmäŋ-grəl , ˈməŋ- \

Definition of mongrel for Students

:an animal of mixed or uncertain origin

mongrel

adjective

Definition of mongrel for Students

:of mixed or uncertain origin

a mongrel dog

Learn More about mongrel

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mongrel Spanish Central: Translation of mongrel Nglish: Translation of mongrel for Spanish speakers

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mongrel

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mongrelize

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Examples of mongrel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mongrel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mongrel

mongrel Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Genetics Terms

MONGREL Defined for English Language Learners

mongrel

Definition of mongrel for English Language Learners

MONGREL Defined for Kids

mongrel

Definition of mongrel for Students

mongrel

Definition of mongrel for Students

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