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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; dogs

Definition of dog (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : 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 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

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 Craig and her camerawoman climbed in the back of Gearhart’s rusted maroon S.U.V., the upholstery ripped and chewed by her dog, Bodhi, who had dibs on the front passenger seat. — Jamie Lauren Keiles Ismail Muhammad Kim Tingley Benoit Denizet-lewis Sam Anderson Jazmine Hughes Irina Aleksander Sasha Weiss Rowan Ricardo Phillips Stella Bugbee Michael Paterniti Maggie Jones Robert Draper Rob Hoerburger Jason Zengerle Reginald Dwayne Betts Jane Hu David Marchese Hanif Abdurraqib Jenna Wortham Anthony Giardina Niela Orr Amy X. Wang, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2021 May remembers a dog named Funnel Cake, who had been in and out of the shelter multiple times due to returns, finally getting adopted again. — Rashika Jaipuriar, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2021 Biden also pulled out his phone to show the kids photos of his new dog, Commander, a nearly four-month-old German Shepherd puppy. — Alexandra Jaffe, ajc, 24 Dec. 2021 Pingel's boyfriend grabbed his gun and shot the dog — a pit bull that had been abused by a previous owner — to death. — Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, 20 Dec. 2021 His only company was the station’s dog, Jake, who was napping by the radiator. — Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2021 Gamiño and Bibiane Chamorro, along with their dog, Lily, barely escaped with their lives as the deadly storm swept through New York on September 1. — Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 19 Dec. 2021 The officers, who were not identified, used less-lethal weapons to halt Jones, including releasing the dog, Hondo. — Greg Moran, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Dec. 2021 The Heatons’ family dog, a corgi named Clarissa, keeps an eye on pedestrians from the shop’s front glass door. — Anne Nickoloff, cleveland, 17 Dec. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Many suggest its the potential exposure to exercise that explains the benefit: The AHA points to studies that found pet owners who walk their dogs got up to 30 minutes more exercise a day than non-dog-walkers. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 26 Aug. 2021 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 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb One question Hightower wasn’t asked: Is this two-game stretch a blip or a big deal that will continue to dog the 49ers? — Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Dec. 2021 As Americans shop for Thanksgiving groceries and make travel plans to see family and friends, frustration over inflation and record-high gas prices continues to dog the Biden administration. — Bayliss Wagner, USA TODAY, 24 Nov. 2021 As the California recall winds down to its final hours, a central question has emerged that will probably dog gubernatorial hopefuls and voters into the upcoming 2022 election. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2021 These breakdowns would dog him throughout his life, and inflict the various Sebaldian personae who proliferate in his books. — Ryu Spaeth, The New Republic, 19 Aug. 2021 The chicken products recall is the latest in a summer of high-profile recalls in the United States, ranging from muffins to dog food. — Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2021 But an Associated Press review of hundreds of pages of public records tied to Walker’s business ventures and his divorce, including many not previously reported, sheds new light on a turbulent personal history that could dog his Senate bid. — Brian Slodysko, chicagotribune.com, 23 July 2021 That reputation was already beginning to dog him even at the height of his fame and popularity; one irate Midwestern reader complained that his book recommendations amounted to force feeding marshmallows to Americans. — Mark Peikert, Town & Country, 6 Aug. 2021 But an Associated Press review of hundreds of pages of public records tied to Walker's business ventures and his divorce, including many not previously reported, sheds new light on a turbulent personal history that could dog his Senate bid. — Brian Slodysko, Star Tribune, 23 July 2021

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

History and Etymology for dog

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

Buying Guide

Our team at The Usage has selected the best dog leashes.

Learn More About dog

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near dog

dofunny

dog

dog's age

Statistics for dog

Last Updated

27 Dec 2021

Cite this Entry

“Dog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dog. Accessed 28 Dec. 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