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
1
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."
2
A stubborn, determined person.
"He's a real bulldog when it comes to negotiating contracts."
verb
1
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 notesIn 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
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bulldog.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- bulldogs
- Third person singular
- bulldogs
- Past tense
- bulldogged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
View more →
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.
