dog

1 of 4

noun

often attributive
1
a
: canid
wolves, foxes, and other dogs
especially : a highly variable domestic mammal (Canis familiaris) closely related to the gray wolf
the family's pet dog
b
: a male dog
dogs and bitches
also : a male usually carnivorous mammal
2
a
: a worthless or contemptible person
b
: fellow, chap
a lazy dog
you lucky dog
3
a
: any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook
b
4
: uncharacteristic or affected stylishness or dignity
put on the dog
5
capitalized astronomy : either of the constellations Canis Major or Canis Minor
6
dogs plural, anatomy : feet
rest his tired dogs
7
dogs plural : ruin
going to the dogs
8
: one inferior of its kind
the movie was a dog
: such as
a
: an investment not worth its price
b
: an undesirable piece of merchandise
9
: an unattractive person
especially : an unattractive girl or woman
10
: hot dog sense 1
bought two dogs and a beer
doglike adjective

Illustration of dog

Illustration of dog
  • 1 pastern
  • 2 chest
  • 3 flews
  • 4 muzzle
  • 5 stop
  • 6 occiput
  • 7 leather
  • 8 crest
  • 9 withers
  • 10 loin
  • 11 point of rump
  • 12 hock or tarsus
  • 13 knee or stifle
  • 14 brisket
  • 15 elbow
  • 16 feathering

dog

2 of 4

adjective

1
: canine
dog breeders
a dog collar
2
: having an inferior or inauthentic quality : spurious
dog rhyme
especially, languages : unlike that used by native speakers or writers
dog Latin
dog French

dog

3 of 4

verb

dogged ˈdȯgd How to pronounce dog (audio)
ˈdägd
; dogging; dogs

transitive verb

1
a
: to hunt, track, or follow (someone) like a hound
dogged her every move
b
: to be a persistent source of difficulty or distress to (someone) : plague
Rumors dogged him throughout his public life.Howard Chua-Eoan
often used in the passive with by
Their star pitcher has been dogged by injuries.The project has been dogged by controversy.
c
: to bother or pester (someone) persistently : hound
Reporters dogged her for information.
2
: to fasten (something) with a dog (see dog entry 1 sense 3a)
dogged down the hatch

dog

4 of 4

adverb

informal
: extremely, utterly
dog cheap
sometimes used in combination
In plain West Virginia-speak, the situation is dog-ugly.Mitch Vingle
see also dog-tired
Phrases
dog it
: to fail to do one's best : goldbrick

Example Sentences

Noun That dog barks all day long. children playing with the family dog wild dogs such as the Australian dingo Her latest book turned out to be a real dog. That was a dog of a movie. Verb He dogged her every move. Creditors dogged him until he finally paid his bills. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Reality’s dog and cat become absurdly comic supporting players in a Kafkaesque chamber piece whose dialogue is taken entirely from transcripts of the ensuing interrogation. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 29 May 2023 With his 8-year-old dog Maverick— Maeve for short — curled up under the table at his feet, Taylor Wood opened a small blue bag and dumped out a sample of dope. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2023 Young children jostled around the throngs of athletes; a few people brought their dogs. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2023 This wasn’t the family’s first time adopting a dog from afar. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2023 There’s a bunch of research showing that interacting with dogs and cats is good for both improved mood and stress relief. Lisa Bain, Good Housekeeping, 26 May 2023 Simple everyday errands - such as a trip to the dog groomer or a visit to the doctor - generate uncertainty. Andrea Salcedo, Luz Lazo And Lee Powell, Anchorage Daily News, 26 May 2023 This year there was a superbloom, [and] my two dogs got lost in all the flowers! Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2023 During the journey to the hospital, Molly welcomed two more puppies, but the mother dog wasn't done yet. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 May 2023
Adjective
My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame. Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020 For single- or multi-dog households, or simply to test a new brand, the five bag sizes provide plenty of alternatives. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022 State records show dog handler applications were submitted under ISS for dozens of guards. Joe Mahr, chicagotribune.com, 1 Aug. 2019 Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com. Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2013 For entertainment, there will be dog races, a police K-9 demonstration, dogs splashing into water and Repticon, a showing of exotic pets, consisting of reptiles, insects and amphibians. Louis Casiano Jr., Orange County Register, 28 Apr. 2017
Verb
He’s also been dogged by various allegations of bribery, fraud and other misdeeds. Lauren Mcgaughy, Dallas News, 27 May 2023 For years, the VA has been dogged by reports of lengthy wait times and lackluster service. Ryan King, Washington Examiner, 24 May 2023 Among the many issues that Hahn said could dog the project are the noise and air pollution created by the traffic that could impact more heavily on residents in the Wilmington neighborhood once the bridge work begins. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023 Preceding the election, key political opponents were already imprisoned or dogged by the threat of prosecution on spurious cases. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 16 May 2023 Directed by: John Crowley Written by: Charlie Brooker Starring: Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, Kate Mara, Auden Thornton, Rory Culkin Mazey Day A troubled starlet is dogged by invasive paparazzi while dealing with the consequences of a hit-and-run incident. Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 11 May 2023 The congressman was elected to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District last November and has spent the months since then dogged by questions about his education and professional experience, as well as his finances and campaign spending. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 May 2023 Synthesizing dogged business reporting with a clear sense of how right-wing talk radio has fundamentally reshaped the Republican Party, Thornton and Rogers have produced a remarkable, vital, and unparalleled document that outlines the uneasy conflict over truth in American civic life. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 9 May 2023 Questions have dogged her campaign: What are her credentials besides her family name? Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English docga

Adjective

from attributive use of dog entry 1

Verb

derivative of dog entry 1

Adverb

derivative of dog entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1526, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near dog

Cite this Entry

“Dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

dog

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a domestic mammal that eats meat and is closely related to the gray wolf
b
: any animal of the family to which the dog belongs
c
: a male dog
2
a
: a worthless person
b
: person sense 1
you lucky dog
3
a
: any of various devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, rod, or bar
b
4
: a show of being stylish or rich
put on the dog
5
plural : feet
doglike adjective

dog

2 of 2 verb
dogged; dogging
: to hunt, track, or follow like a hound

Medical Definition

dog

noun
often attributive
: a highly variable carnivorous domesticated mammal of the genus Canis (C. familiaris) closely related to the common wolf (Canis lupus)
broadly : any member of the family Canidae

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