noun Uncommon

bulldog

BUUL-dog

Bulldog (noun) means a stocky dog breed with a flat face, wrinkled cheeks, and a distinctive short muzzle, originally bred in England. Example: “Their bulldog snored loudly on the sofa all afternoon.”

noun

A stocky dog breed with a flat face, wrinkled cheeks, and a distinctive short muzzle, originally bred in England.

"Their bulldog snored loudly on the sofa all afternoon."

A stubborn, determined person.

"He's a real bulldog when it comes to negotiating contracts."

verb

To chase down a steer on horseback and wrestle it to the ground by its horns, as in rodeo.

"The cowboy bulldogged the steer in under ten seconds."

How to use bulldog

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe dog breed with the flat face and wrinkled skin, or figuratively a stubborn, tenacious person.

Common pairings

British bulldog bulldog spirit bulldog clip

Word forms

bulldogged past tense, bulldogs plural, bulldogs singular

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Their _____ snored loudly on the sofa all afternoon.

Etymology

From bull + dog, referring to the breed's original use in the blood sport of bull-baiting.

Synonyms

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English bulldog

Frequently asked questions

What does “bulldog” mean?

The word “bulldog” means a stocky dog breed with a flat face, wrinkled cheeks, and a distinctive short muzzle, originally bred in England. In plain terms, the dog breed with the flat face and wrinkled skin, or figuratively a stubborn, tenacious person.

How do you pronounce “bulldog”?

“Bulldog” is pronounced BUUL-dog (/ˈbʊl.dɔɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bulldog” in a sentence?

Here is “bulldog” used in a sentence: “Their bulldog snored loudly on the sofa all afternoon.”

What is another word for “bulldog”?

Words with a similar meaning to “bulldog” include English bulldog.

What part of speech is “bulldog”?

Depending on how it is used, “bulldog” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “bulldog” a common word?

“Bulldog” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bulldog” have?

“Bulldog” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stocky dog breed with a flat face, wrinkled cheeks, and a distinctive short muzzle, originally bred in England.