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dog

noun, often attributive

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\ 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

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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 In New York, author Christian Cooper — the Black Central Park birder who famously had police called on him by a White woman after asking her to leash her dog — is making D.C. statehood a central tenet of his racial justice activism. — Washington Post, "In faraway state houses, a battle brews over making D.C. the 51st state," 26 Feb. 2021 His owner, Jennie Tatum, did not hesitate to plunge into the pool to rescue her dog. — Brett Harman, CNN, "Must-watch videos of the week," 26 Feb. 2021 Follow her on Twitter @erinblogan for hot takes and for photos of her dog Kacey. — Los Angeles Times, "Essential California: Timeline for LAUSD schools reopening remains unclear," 25 Feb. 2021 The widow of a north Oak Cliff man who was gunned down as the couple walked their dog last year has been arrested. — Tom Steele, Dallas News, "Widow arrested after fatal shooting of her husband outside their north Oak Cliff home," 25 Feb. 2021 That dog had the biggest grin, his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. — The Salt Lake Tribune, "Brodi Ashton: Ok everyone, we’re faced with a river loaded with alligators. There’s only one way through.," 19 Feb. 2021 In May, Amy Cooper famously called the police after a bird watcher named Christian Cooper (no relation) asked her to follow park rules and keep her dog on a leash. — Lydia Wang, refinery29.com, "Amy Cooper’s Case Has Been Dismissed. Is This Restorative Justice?," 19 Feb. 2021 The video ended when Christian Cooper stopped filming immediately after Amy Cooper put the leash on her dog. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "Charges dismissed against Amy Cooper, white woman who called 911 on Black birdwatcher," 17 Feb. 2021 Christian Cooper then pulled out a bag of treats and offered her dog one. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Charge against Amy Cooper dropped after she completes therapy sessions on racial bias," 16 Feb. 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 Also, an arrest or conviction can dog people for years and thwart their job prospects. — Washington Post, "Law professor who patrolled as a D.C. street cop says police have ‘impossible job’," 22 Feb. 2021 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

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

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries near dog

Statistics for dog

Last Updated

2 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog. Accessed 10 Mar. 2021.

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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

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