hound
8 synonyms for hound, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight.
“The hound picked up the scent and bolted into the woods.”
How to use hound
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
hound someone for
a pack of hounds
news hound
Etymology
From Old English hund, "dog." In medieval English hound was the everyday word for dog, while "dog" referred to a bulldog-like breed — the two swapped roles by the 1500s.
Full origin of hound →Frequently asked questions
What does “hound” mean?
The word “hound” means a dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight. In plain terms, a hunting dog, or (as a verb) to pester someone relentlessly, or (as a suffix) someone fixated on chasing a particular thing.
How do you pronounce “hound”?
“Hound” is pronounced hownd (/haʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hound” in a sentence?
Here is “hound” used in a sentence: “The hound picked up the scent and bolted into the woods.”
What part of speech is “hound”?
Depending on how it is used, “hound” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hound” come from?
The word “hound” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. From Old English hund, "dog." In medieval English hound was the everyday word for dog, while "dog" referred to a bulldog-like breed — the two swapped roles by the 1500s.
Is “hound” a common word?
“Hound” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hound” have?
“Hound” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dog, especially a breed bred for hunting by scent or sight.
