English Dictionary

Definition of “dog”

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dog (dɒɡPronunciation for dog) 

Definitions

noun

    1. a domesticated canine mammal, a domesticated canine mammal, Canis familiaris, occurring in many breeds that show a great variety in size and form
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ dog biscuit 
    1. any other carnivore of the family any other carnivore of the family Canidae, such as the dingo and coyote
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ the dog family related adjective canine
    1. the male of animals of the dog family
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ a dog fox 
  4. (modifier)
    1. spurious, inferior, or useless  ⇒ dog Latin 
    2. ((in combination)  ⇒ dogberry 
  5. a mechanical device for gripping or holding, esp one of the axial slots by which gear wheels or shafts are engaged to transmit torque
  6. informal a fellow; chap  ⇒ you lucky dog 
  7. informal a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
  8. US informal a male friend: used as a term of address
  9. slang an unattractive or boring girl or woman
  10. US Canadian informal something unsatisfactory or inferior
  11. short for firedog
  12. any of various atmospheric phenomena See fogdog , seadog , sundog
  13. See a dog's chance
  14. See a dog's dinner
  15. See a dog's life
  16. See dog eat dog
  17. See like a dog's dinner
  18. See put on the dog

verb

Word forms: dogs, dogging, dogged
(tr)
  1. to pursue or follow after like a dog
  2. to trouble; plague  ⇒ to be dogged by ill health 
  3. to chase with a dog or dogs
  4. to grip, hold, or secure by a mechanical device

adverb

  1. (usually in combination) thoroughly; utterly  ⇒ dog-tired 

See also

dogs

Alternative Forms

ˈdogˌlike adjective

Word Origin

Old English docga, of obscure origin

Quotations

  • "Love me, love my dog" St. Bernard
  • "The more one gets to know of men, the more one values dogs" A. Toussenel
  • "Dogs live with man as courtiers round a monarch, steeped in the flattery of his notice and enriched with sinecures" Robert Louis Stevenson
  • "The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too" Samuel Butler
  • "Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends" Alexander Pope
  • "Every dog has its day"
  • "Why keep a dog and bark yourself?"
  • "If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas"
  • "A live dog is better than a dead lion"
  • "Let sleeping dogs lie"

Translations

  • British English: dog Pronunciation for dog A dog is an animal that is often kept as a pet or used to guard or hunt things.The dog wagged his tail.dɒɡ NOUN The dog wagged his tail.
  • Spanish: perro Pronunciation for perro nm
  • French: chien Pronunciation for chien nm
  • German: Hund Pronunciation for Hund nm
  • Chinese: 狗Pronunciation for 狗 n
  • Arabic: كَلْبPronunciation for كَلْب n
  • Portuguese: cãoPronunciation for cão nm cadela
  • Russian: собакаPronunciation for собака nf
  • Croatian: pasPronunciation for pas nm
  • Czech: pesPronunciation for pes nm
  • Danish: hundPronunciation for hund nutr
  • Dutch: hondPronunciation for hond nm
  • Finnish: koiraPronunciation for koira n
  • Greek: σκύλοςPronunciation for σκύλος nm
  • Italian: canePronunciation for cane nm
  • Japanese: 犬Pronunciation for 犬 n
  • Korean: 개Pronunciation for 개 n
  • Norwegian: hundPronunciation for hund nm
  • Polish: piesPronunciation for pies nm
  • Brazilian Portuguese: cachorroPronunciation for cachorro nm cachorra
  • European Spanish: perro Pronunciation for perro nm
  • Swedish: hundPronunciation for hund nutr
  • Thai: สุนัขPronunciation for สุนัข n
  • Turkish: köpekPronunciation for köpek n
  • Vietnamese: con chóPronunciation for con chó n

Usage examples

  • Cratyn threw his hand up to protect his face as the dog flew at him.
    Jennifer Fallon, TREASON KEEP (2001)
  • We've found him to be generally good with dogs though will need a home where he is the only dog.
    Country Life (2004)
  • Three-and-a-half hours of television later, I have a better impression of the boys ' house dog than any of the bachelors themselves.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • The advert shows him speaking on a tiny phone to his wife, and his dog : beautiful creatures in a beautiful apartment.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Things to Do (or Be) Every Day WALK whenever you can... or take the dog for a walk!
    Amoda, MOVING INTO ECSTASY: An Urban Mystic's Guide to Movement, Music and Meditation (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'D'

Related Terms

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