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

Examples of woof 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.
Noun
There’s no dialogue, at least none decipherable to human ears — everything is a symphony of meows, woofs, squawks, grunts, squeaks, squeals and simian cries. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024 Starbucks is standing firm on its complimentary woof and water conditions. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 And sure enough, over time the sharp bark morphed into an almost welcoming woof, and the conversations with Etti lengthened into several sentences, mutually understood despite my nonnative accent. Sue Wunder, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 May 2023
Verb
Unfortunately, the subsequent lawsuits only served to popularize the song, which became a niche hit among the sort of people who like those albums where dogs and cats woof and meow their way through Christmas songs. Alexandra Petri, Washington Post, 2 July 2024

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 6 Dec. 2024.

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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