dog

1 of 4

noun

plural dogs
1
a
: a carnivorous mammal (Canis familiaris) closely related to the gray wolf that has long been domesticated as a pet, occurs in a variety of sizes, colors, and coat types, and is sometimes trained to perform special tasks (such as herding, guarding, or acting as a service animal)
After 31 years of Labrador retrievers holding the title, the American Kennel Club says French bulldogs were the most popular dog in America last year.Scott Simon
b
: any of a family (Canidae) of carnivorous mammals that includes the wolves, jackals, foxes, coyotes, and the domestic dog : canid
c
: a male dog compare bitch entry 1 sense 1
2
informal
a
: a worthless or contemptible person
"Dog of an unbeliever," said an old man. … This … was addressed to no other than our acquaintance Isaac …Sir Walter Scott
b
: fellow, chap
you lucky dog
3
: any of various usually simple mechanical devices (such as an andiron or a detent) for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook
4
: uncharacteristic or affected stylishness or dignity
They really put on the dog for their daughter's wedding.
5
Dog astronomy : either of the constellations Canis Major or Canis Minor
6
dogs plural, slang : feet
rest his tired dogs
7
dogs plural, informal : ruin
used with the
It's enough to drive anyone to the dogs.
The economy is going to the dogs.
8
informal : an inferior one of its kind
The movie was a dog.
The stock is a dog. Earnings have been poor …Douglas A. McIntyre
Logic should dictate that a hefty sedan powered by a small four-cylinder motor should be a real dog of a thing to drive.Keith Didham
9
slang, often disparaging + offensive : an unattractive person
especially : an unattractive girl or woman
10
informal : hot dog sense 1
bought two dogs and a beer
doglike adjective
a doglike animal
doglike behaviors

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 3)
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

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 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
According to LifeLine, the DeKalb shelter takes in 135 dogs a week on average. Jim Gaines, ajc, 13 Sep. 2023 The remains were found by two men who were running their dogs and looking for rocks, according to DNASolves. CBS News, 13 Sep. 2023 This included four search dogs, three doctors, a diving team and a water extraction contingent, Tunisia’s state news agency TAP reported. Rhea Mogul, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023 The couple was seen taking a stroll on a N.Y.C. street with Bosworth's dog, Happy, on Tuesday. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023 Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead. Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023 Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in. cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023 On a return trip this week with her sister, Pape used a large mural of a dog in a NASA spacesuit above an exit as a signpost. Justin George, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 And some small dogs who can fit underneath a seat are traumatized by the experience. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Altogether, the Reflective is a great choice for a young dog that will grow or a multi-dog family. Outside Online, 26 June 2020 But there were fewer differences in sleep quality indicators between cat and non-cat owners compared to dog and non-dog owners. L'oreal Thompson Payton, Fortune Well, 17 Mar. 2023 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
For the White House, Gantz represents a more reasonable, palatable Israeli leader, who, unlike Netanyahu, isn’t dogged by corruption charges and hasn’t spent the past decade meddling in Washington’s partisan politics. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 There is also the promise of jobs and training for locals in a region dogged by stubborn unemployment. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 But the result against the 13th-place team in the conference being led by an interim coach will do nothing to address concerns about Purdue, a team that will already be dogged by its recent history of postseason disappointment once March Madness arrives. USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2024 But cynical takes on Lopez’s motivations have dogged the entirety of her career. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 Ariane Lange dogged the story about a Chihuahua mix with a new leash on life. Bee Staff, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2024 Trump, who is dogged by legal bills, has yet to announce his January fundraising numbers. Check back for more on this developing story. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 That Cincinnati did not fall was largely due to the leadership of Maj. Gen. Lew Wallace, a Union general who was dogged by controversy after the Battle of Shiloh a few months earlier. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 28 Jan. 2024 Throughout her public career, Taylor has been dogged by minor controversies. Journal Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2024

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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