dog

1 of 4

noun

ˈdȯg

ˈdäg

often attributive

: 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

: a male dog

dogs and bitches

also : a male usually carnivorous mammal

: a worthless or contemptible person

: fellow, chap

a lazy dog

you lucky dog

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

: andiron

: uncharacteristic or affected stylishness or dignity

put on the dog

capitalized astronomy : either of the constellations Canis Major or Canis Minor

dogs plural, anatomy : feet

rest his tired dogs

dogs plural : ruin

going to the dogs

: one inferior of its kind

the movie was a dog

: such as

: an investment not worth its price

: an undesirable piece of merchandise

: an unattractive person

especially : an unattractive girl or woman

: hot dog sense 1

bought two dogs and a beer

doglike

ˈdȯg-ˌlīk

adjective

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

: canine

dog breeders

a dog collar

: 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

ˈdägd

; dogging; dogs

transitive verb

: to hunt, track, or follow (someone) like a hound

dogged her every move

: 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.

: to bother or pester (someone) persistently : hound

Reporters dogged her for information.

: to fasten (something) with a dog (see dog entry 1 sense 3a)

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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The 2023 calendars are available now and include denim, cat, dog, horse, and mixed animal editions.

People Staff, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2022 Your cat or dog probably won't like us much for suggesting this one, but it's guaranteed to make everyone laugh!

Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, 29 Nov. 2022 The third time a dog or cat gets lost and goes to the shelter, its owner must spay or neuter it in order to get it back.

Annie Blanks, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Nov. 2022 Witherspoon’s favorite, a dog and cat on a courtyard gate, serves as a gathering spot for family photos.

ELLE Decor, 18 Nov. 2022 Four adults, three children, a dog, a cat and a snake were displaced from their homes.

David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2022 Have a guy on your list who recently adopted a cat or dog?

Mike Richard, Men's Health, 9 Nov. 2022 Amid rising panic about witchcraft at the end of the 15th century, even just a close relationship with a cat or dog could be seen as evidence of black magic.

John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022 Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, dog, two chinchillas, and a Shark Robot vacuum named Bruce (a la Finding Nemo).

Jade Chung-lee, PCMAG, 25 Oct. 2022

Adjective

And, yes, that includes that Swift’s newest re-release can be announced courtesy of a cartoon super-dog sobbing into a jug of ice cream.

Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 29 July 2022 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

Verb

Such a move could give a big boost to the global economy when worries about recessions caused by rising interest rates dog countries around the world.

Stan Choe, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2022 After this heroic effort, Danta and Robertshaw officially dedicated themselves to dog rescue and founded the nonprofit Danny & Ron's Rescue.

Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2022 In 1981, a torn stomach lining almost killed Lewis, and health issues continued to dog him.

David Browne, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2022 And Hobbs’ refusal will dog her for the duration of the campaign.

Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2022 Aside from that, the persistent problems in his life continue to dog him.

Hannah Gold, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022 Bird Dog 2 to 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps per side Shift your focus from bear to dog with this final variation, which requires even more coordination.

Brett Williams, Men's Health, 1 Sep. 2022 More recently, thanks to dog vaccination, the state of Goa in India managed to eliminate human rabies and reduce cases in dogs by 92%, saving more than 2,000 years of life that might otherwise have been lost to the disease.

Terence Scott, STAT, 1 Oct. 2022 However, controversy has continued to dog the facility, with the ACLU recently calling for the facility to be torn down entirely amid new allegations about safety and poor conditions.

Adam Shaw, Fox News, 30 Sep. 2022 See More

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.