puppy
4 synonyms for puppy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A young dog, usually under a year or so old.
Synonyms
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.
How to use puppy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
puppy love
house-train a puppy
puppy eyes
The "any object" sense ("grab that puppy") is very informal.
Etymology
Probably from Old French poupée ("doll, puppet") — the same root as puppet — since small pet dogs were once seen as living toys.
Full origin of puppy →Frequently asked questions
What does “puppy” mean?
The word “puppy” means a young dog, usually under a year or so old. In plain terms, a baby dog, or casually, a stand-in word for "thing.".
How do you pronounce “puppy”?
“Puppy” is pronounced PUH-pee (/ˈpʌpi/ in IPA).
How do you use “puppy” in a sentence?
Here is “puppy” used in a sentence: “The puppy chewed through another pair of shoes.”
What part of speech is “puppy”?
“Puppy” is a noun.
Where does the word “puppy” come from?
The word “puppy” comes from Old French. Probably from Old French poupée ("doll, puppet") — the same root as puppet — since small pet dogs were once seen as living toys.
Is “puppy” a common word?
“Puppy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “puppy” have?
“Puppy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young dog, usually under a year or so old.
What is the difference between a "puppy" and a "dog"?
A puppy is simply a young dog, usually under a year or so old, so every puppy is a dog but not every dog is a puppy. Once a dog reaches adulthood, "puppy" no longer strictly applies, though owners often keep using it affectionately.
How long is a dog considered a puppy?
A dog is generally considered a puppy until it is around a year old, though the exact point varies — larger breeds mature more slowly and may be called puppies a little longer. After that, it is an adult dog.
What is the difference between "puppy" and "pup"?
"Pup" is a shortened, more casual form of "puppy" and means the same thing when talking about dogs. "Pup" is also the standard term for the young of several other animals, such as seals and wolves, whereas "puppy" is reserved for dogs.
