spaniel

noun

span·​iel ˈspan-yəl 

also ˈspa-nᵊl

1

: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs usually having long wavy hair, feathered legs and tail, and large drooping ears

2

: a fawning servile person

Examples of spaniel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carlson has spoken of his own brush with demonic forces, who left him bloodied and scratched in the night, while his wife and their four spaniels slept undisturbed. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

English springer spaniel Springer spaniels are people dogs through and through. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Together, the authorities worked to remove the spaniels from the truck, but more arrived on the scene shortly after. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026

Cavalier spaniels, terriers, and basenjis are ideal breeds for small apartments. — The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spaynel, spaniell, from Anglo-French espainnel, alteration of espaignol Spaniard, from Vulgar Latin *Hispaniolus, from Latin Hispania Spain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spaniel

• American water spaniel
• Brittany spaniel
• Cavalier King Charles spaniel
• Clumber spaniel
• cocker spaniel
• English cocker spaniel
• English springer spaniel
• English toy spaniel
• field spaniel
• Irish water spaniel
• King Charles spaniel
• springer spaniel
• Sussex spaniel
• water spaniel
• Welsh springer spaniel

Rhymes for spaniel

• granule

Kids Definition

spaniel

noun

span·​iel ˈspan-yəl 

: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs that usually have long wavy hair and large drooping ears