1
b
: woven fabric
also : the texture of such a fabric
2
: a basic or essential element or material

woof

2 of 3

verb

woofed; woofing; woofs

intransitive verb

1
: to make the low gruff sound typically produced by a dog
2
: to express oneself in a usually stylized boastful or aggressive manner

woof

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a low gruff sound typically produced by a dog
2
: a low note emitted by sound reproducing equipment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In fact, Americans woof down 150 million frankfurters on the Fourth of July alone. cleveland, 5 July 2022 The Bracken bats alone woof down more than 145 tons of bugs a night. René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 20 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'woof.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

alteration of Middle English oof, from Old English ōwef, from ō- (from on) + wefan to weave — more at weave

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of woof was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near woof

Cite this Entry

“Woof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woof. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

woof

1 of 3 noun
1
: the threads that cross the warp in a woven fabric
2
: a woven fabric or its texture

woof

2 of 3 verb
: to make the sound of a woof

woof

3 of 3 noun
: a deep harsh sound made by a dog
Etymology

Noun

Middle English oof "threads, crossing the warp," from Old English ōwef (same meaning), from ō- "on" (from on) and -wef (related to web "web" and wefan "to weave")

Noun

a word created in imitation of the sound

More from Merriam-Webster on woof

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