tyke

noun

ˈtīk 

variants or less commonly tike

1

a

: a small child

b

chiefly British : a clumsy, churlish, or eccentric person

2

: dog

especially : an inferior or mongrel dog

Synonyms of tyke

• dog
• puppy

Examples of tyke in a Sentence

adopted a lovable tyke from the local animal shelter

Recent Examples on the Web

There are two scenes that show the transformation of main characters into the Tin Man and the Scarecrow, and while the more harrowing stuff is seen in flashes or close-ups, there’s still some unnerving body horror that could give tykes nightmares. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025

An inspiring 60-second spot from Pampers features an array of wee tykes, all being comforted or protected by the popular Procter & Gamble diaper. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

Colombian rapper Maluma stopped a concert in Mexico City to chastise one of his own fans for bringing her infant to his show and exposing the tyke to high decibel levels. —Sandra Lilley, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2025

James, who was first introduced to TV viewers as Family Matters tyke Richie Crawford, has forged an impressive career in daytime. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tyke, from Old Norse tīk bitch; akin to Middle Low German tīke bitch

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tyke

• bike
• dike
• hike
• ike
• like
• mike
• psych
• pyke
• shrike
• spike
• strike
• tike

Kids Definition

tyke

noun

variants also tike

ˈtīk

: a small child