mongrel

noun

Save Word

mon·grel | \ ˈmäŋ-grəl

, ˈməŋ-

Definition of mongrel

1 : an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds (see breed entry 2 sense 1) or strains (see strain entry 1 sense 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

Other Words from mongrel Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About mongrel

Other Words from mongrel

mongrel adjective

mongrelization \ ˌmäŋ-grə-lə-ˈzā-shən

, ˌməŋ- \ noun

mongrelize \ ˈmäŋ-grə-ˌlīz

, ˈməŋ- \ transitive verb

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 on the Web Kelso was the first thoroughbred to fly in a jet and always traveled with his sidekick, a scruffy mongrel named Charlie Potatoes. — Mike Klingaman, baltimoresun.com, 4 Nov. 2021 The mongrel’s mother, separated from her baby, bleats piteously outside the couple’s house, until Maria, plagued by troubling dreams, drags the animal out into a field and shoots it. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2021 After his election Emmanuel Macron adopted a mongrel, Nemo, from a rescue shelter. — The Economist, 18 Mar. 2021 The dog, a male mongrel, arrived with its owner at the hospital in Wuhan – where the coronavirus outbreak began – in February, the U.K.’s Metro reported. — Fox News, 26 May 2020 Although the big Art Deco and Second Empire mongrel at 422 Fulton — now Macy’s — continued to give the strip solidity into the 21st century, the iron-front building deteriorated. — John Freeman Gill, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2019 Disney unveiled the first trailer during D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, and gave a glimpse into the romantic adventures of Lady, the American Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp, a mongrel pup. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, 24 Oct. 2019 Disney released the first official trailer Friday at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, and gave a glimpse into the romantic adventures of Lady, the American Cocker Spaniel, and Tramp, a mongrel pup. — Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, 26 Aug. 2019 Children loved him and residents regarded the mongrel as a neighborhood alarm system, friendly but loud. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive.com, 22 June 2019 See More

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.