beagle
BEE-guhl
Beagle (noun) means a small, short-legged hound with a smooth coat, often tricolored, traditionally used for hunting hares and now popular as a friendly family pet. Example: “Our beagle spends most of the walk with his nose glued to the ground.”
noun
1
A small, short-legged hound with a smooth coat, often tricolored, traditionally used for hunting hares and now popular as a friendly family pet.
"Our beagle spends most of the walk with his nose glued to the ground."
"Beagles are known for being gentle with children."
2
Informally, someone who snoops or investigates, like a detective.
"He played the office beagle, sniffing out who leaked the memo."
How to use beagle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small hound breed famous for its keen sense of smell.
Common pairings
a beagle puppy
a pack of beagles
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Word forms
- Plural
- beagles
- Third person singular
- beagles
- Past tense
- beagled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our _____ spends most of the walk with his nose glued to the ground.
Etymology
Origin disputed — possibly from an Old French phrase meaning "one who keeps their mouth open," or from Middle English bedel ("beadle," an officer who enforced rules), with the sound shifting over time.
Rhymes for beagle
See all rhymes for beagle →Frequently asked questions
What does “beagle” mean?
The word “beagle” means a small, short-legged hound with a smooth coat, often tricolored, traditionally used for hunting hares and now popular as a friendly family pet. In plain terms, a small hound breed famous for its keen sense of smell.
How do you pronounce “beagle”?
“Beagle” is pronounced BEE-guhl (/ˈbiːɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “beagle” in a sentence?
Here is “beagle” used in a sentence: “Our beagle spends most of the walk with his nose glued to the ground.”
What part of speech is “beagle”?
“Beagle” is a noun.
Where does the word “beagle” come from?
The word “beagle” comes from Old French. Origin disputed — possibly from an Old French phrase meaning "one who keeps their mouth open," or from Middle English bedel ("beadle," an officer who enforced rules), with the sound shifting over time.
How many meanings does “beagle” have?
“Beagle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, short-legged hound with a smooth coat, often tricolored, traditionally used for hunting hares and now popular as a friendly family pet.
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