puppy dog

noun

Synonyms of puppy dognext
: a domestic dog
especially : one having the lovable attributes of a puppy

Examples of puppy dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kenny is super likable but kind of just follows Boyd around like a puppy dog. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Cassie is trying to become social-media famous, suggestively flashing her all-American assets online in a variety of fetishy costumes (a puppy dog, a pacifier-sucking baby). — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026 William Tong thought a puppy dog would be innocuous. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026 The Other Two’s Josh Segarra radiates an irresistible puppy dog energy as Mark, the local sheriff, while Potts is great fun as the salty aunt who sees right through Best’s rigid exterior. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puppy dog

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puppy dog was circa 1616

Rhymes for puppy dog

See All Rhymes for puppy dog

Browse Nearby Words

puppy
puppy dog
puppydom
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Cite this Entry

“Puppy dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puppy%20dog. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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