The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20210223130104/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog

dog

noun, often attributive

Save Word

\ ˈdȯg

, ˈdäg

Definition of dog

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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

2a : a worthless or contemptible person

b : fellow, chap a lazy dog you lucky dog

3a : any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook

b : andiron

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

dog

adjective

Definition of dog (Entry 2 of 4)

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

verb

dogged\ ˈdȯgd

, ˈdägd \; dogging

Definition of dog (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to hunt, track, or follow like a hound dogged her every move

b : to worry as if by pursuit with dogs : plague dogged by his past failures

c : to bother or pester persistently dogged him about his grades

2 : to fasten with a simple mechanical device consisting of a spike, bar, or hook : to fasten with a dog (see dog entry 1 sense 3a) dogged down the hatch

dog it

: to fail to do one's best : goldbrick

dog

adverb

Definition of dog (Entry 4 of 4)

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

Other Words from dog Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dog

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for dog

Synonyms: Noun

canine,
doggy
(or doggie),
hound,
pooch,
tyke
(also tike)

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Verb

Examples of dog in a Sentence

Noun That dog barks all day long. children playing with the family dog wild dogs such as the Australian dingo They say she's a real dog. 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.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun His pro partner, Eric Booker, convinced Romano to play his next shot from the beach — which seemed like a good idea until a wave interrupted him and then a dog stole his ball. — Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, "Clint Eastwood to Tony Romo: Memorable moments in Pebble Beach Pro-Am celebrity lore," 8 Feb. 2021 Her second features a girl holding a dog while leaning out of a car window flashing a peace sign. — Tim Harlow, Star Tribune, "Metro Transit taps artists to share hope and happiness," 7 Feb. 2021 Training keeps a dog’s mind busy and less preoccupied with outside noise. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, "How to train your dog to be quiet despite doorbells, other noises," 4 Feb. 2021 Never leave a dog unattended, even for a few minutes, if he is not potty trained. — Traci Howerton, NOLA.com, "Is potty training your new dog making you crazy? Use this advice to get the best results," 3 Feb. 2021 Three people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and a dog was rescued after a small plane crash-landed Tuesday in a field in Leicester, Massachusetts, authorities said. — Craig S. Semon, USA TODAY, "Snowmobilers help rescue 3 people, dog after small plane crashes in Massachusetts," 3 Feb. 2021 All that and a talking dog named Mr. Peanutbutter too. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, "The 100 Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now," 1 Feb. 2021 The drugs — 1,950 pounds valued at $45 million — were sniffed out by a dog during a traffic stop involving a refrigerated tractor-trailer in Denton County on Oct. 8, the DEA said. — Dallas News, "DEA’s Dallas office announces seizure of $45 million in meth, heroin — its largest bust ever," 28 Jan. 2021 Customers who want to bring a dog or cat on board as a pet will have to pay a fee, and the animal must be kept in a carrier that fits under an airplane seat. — Chronicle Staff And News Services, SFChronicle.com, "Daily Briefing," 26 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective State records show dog handler applications were submitted under ISS for dozens of guards. — Joe Mahr, chicagotribune.com, "CTA pulls security dogs from system, amid questions about whether guards were properly trained," 1 Aug. 2019 Dog beds: Hemp Vintage Stripe Envelope in Black; harrybarker.com. — Southern Living, "Source Guide - September 2013," 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, "Meet and greet canines and critters, from furry to feathered, at Pet Expo in Costa Mesa," 28 Apr. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Whether the issue will dog him this campaign isn’t yet known. — Joshua Fechter, San Antonio Express-News, "In mayoral rematch between Nirenberg and Brockhouse, San Antonio's pandemic recovery and police reform will take center stage," 31 Jan. 2021 Past quality problems also continue to dog the two Korean car manufacturers, denting earnings. — Ben Foldy, WSJ, "Hyundai, Kia Pick Up Speed in 2020 With New SUVs," 30 Dec. 2020 The Manhattan district attorney and New York state attorney general will dog him over personal finances. — Karl Rove, WSJ, "2020 Hindsight and a Look Ahead," 30 Dec. 2020 Deadening fatigue can dog them for weeks or months. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, "Explanations for ‘long Covid’ remain elusive. For now, believing patients and treating symptoms is the best doctors can do," 29 Dec. 2020 The cover-up accusation, which Emanuel has denied, continues to dog him to this day. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Lightfoot’s ‘sorry’ for raid on innocent woman’s home | Buttigieg calls O’Hare ‘romantic’ | Pritzker ‘disappointed’ vaccine shipments cut in half," 16 Dec. 2020 Fraught relationships between government and society and the inability of government to project power are at the root of the violence and insurrection that now dog Abuja and the capitals of other postcolonial states. — John Campbell, Quartz Africa, "A former ambassador says the US needs to reimagine its engagement with a modern Nigeria," 3 Dec. 2020 Tran believes the same price competition will dog DoorDash until there’s more consolidation in the industry. — Ellen Huet, Bloomberg.com, "DoorDash Got a Big Pandemic Lift. Can It Deliver Again?," 14 Nov. 2020 Conflicts far more serious — and bloody — than the grocery fracas continued to dog the city. — Washington Post, "David Dinkins, New York City’s first Black mayor, dies at 93," 23 Nov. 2020

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

First Known Use of dog

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dog

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries near dog

Statistics for dog

Last Updated

18 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog. Accessed 23 Feb. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for dog

dog

noun

\ ˈdȯg

Kids Definition of dog

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a domestic animal that eats meat and is closely related to the wolves

2 : any of the group of mammals (as wolves, foxes, and jackals) to which the domestic dog belongs

3 : person sense 1 You lucky dog!

dog

verb

dogged; dogging

Kids Definition of dog (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to hunt, track, or follow like a hound I dogged them all the way.

2 : pester

3 : to cause problems for Injuries dogged the team.

dog

noun, often attributive

\ ˈdȯg

Medical Definition of dog

: 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

Keep scrolling for more