poodle

noun

poo·​dle ˈpü-dᵊl 

plural poodles

1

: any of a breed of intelligent dogs that have a curly dense solid-colored coat and that are grouped into standard, miniature, and toy sizes see also miniature poodle, standard poodle, toy poodle

2

: a fabric with a nubby or coarsely looped surface that resembles a poodle's coat

called also poodle cloth

Examples of poodle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ten of those puppies have found their forever homes, along with 115 poodle-mix dogs from the shocking rescue. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026

Later, dancers dressed as poodles appeared, as did Susan Sarandon playing an older version of Carpenter, Will Ferrell playing a bumbling electrician, and Carpenter’s Girl Meets World co-star Corey Fogelmanis playing a waiter. —Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2026

Over 90% of miniature poodles, shorthair Chihuahuas, French bulldogs, terriers and labs were adopted, returned to their owners or transferred to another rescue agency. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026

One couple, Rory Bannatyne and Terri Coleman, fled to safety with their poodle, Bunty, and one of their three cats, Tubbs. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Pudel, short for Pudelhund, from pudeln to splash + Hund dog

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poodle

• miniature poodle
• standard poodle
• toy poodle

Rhymes for poodle

• boodle
• doodle
• feudal
• noodle

Kids Definition

poodle

noun

poo·​dle ˈpüd-ᵊl 

: any of a breed of active intelligent dogs that have thick curly coats of solid color and that occur in three sizes

Etymology

from German Pudel, a shortened form of Pudelhund "poodle," from pudeln "to splash" and Hund "dog"

Word Origin

Poodles often have their coats cut in different patterns. Both their haircuts and their name go back to a time when poodles were kept not as house pets but as retrievers. Poodles were especially good at retrieving game in the water. The dogs were good swimmers, and they had heavy coats that kept them warm even in icy water. Hunters cut their dogs' hair shorter in a pattern that would make swimming easier. Cutting poodles' hair in a pattern soon became a tradition. The German name for this skillful swimmer was Pudelhund. This word combined pudeln, meaning "to splash," and hund, meaning "dog." It was then shortened to Pudel, which English borrowed as poodle.