dog
dog
Dog (noun) means a domesticated mammal (Canis familiaris) kept as a pet or working animal, closely related to wolves. Example: “Our dog loves chasing sticks along the beach at low tide.”
noun
1
A domesticated mammal (Canis familiaris) kept as a pet or working animal, closely related to wolves.
"Our dog loves chasing sticks along the beach at low tide."
"The dog barked at the mail carrier every morning."
"They adopted a rescue dog from the local shelter."
2
Informal: an unpleasant, cowardly, or morally low person, or (dated/offensive) an unattractive woman.
"Only a dog would run off and leave his friends to take the blame."
""You dirty dog, you promised you would help me move house!" she said, laughing."
"He called his old business partner a dog for backing out of the deal."
3
A mechanical clamp, catch, or gripping device used to hold or fasten something.
"Before lifting the beam, the carpenter checked that the dog was gripping the timber firmly."
"Each dog on the old sawmill carriage held the log steady while it was cut."
"The crew tightened the dogs on the hatch before the storm hit."
How to use dog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly, man's best friend — the domestic dog — though it has several slang and technical senses too.
Common pairings
walk the dog
a dog's life
go to the dogs
dog tired
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Word forms
- Plural
- dogs
- Third person singular
- dogs
- Past tense
- dogged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our _____ loves chasing sticks along the beach at low tide.
Etymology
From Old English docga, a word of uncertain origin that eventually replaced "hound" as the general term for the animal.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “dog” mean?
The word “dog” means a domesticated mammal (Canis familiaris) kept as a pet or working animal, closely related to wolves. In plain terms, most commonly, man's best friend — the domestic dog — though it has several slang and technical senses too.
How do you pronounce “dog”?
“Dog” is pronounced dog (/dɒɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dog” in a sentence?
Here is “dog” used in a sentence: “The dog barked at the mail carrier every morning.”
What is another word for “dog”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dog” include taxonomic names: Canis familiaris, domestic dog, Canis domesticus, Canis familiarus domesticus, Canis canis and Canis aegyptius.
What part of speech is “dog”?
“Dog” is a noun.
Where does the word “dog” come from?
The word “dog” comes from Old English. From Old English docga, a word of uncertain origin that eventually replaced "hound" as the general term for the animal.
Is “dog” a common word?
“Dog” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “dog” have?
“Dog” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a domesticated mammal (Canis familiaris) kept as a pet or working animal, closely related to wolves.
What is the difference between a dog and a wolf?
Dogs and wolves share an ancestor and remain close relatives, but dogs were domesticated over thousands of years to live alongside people. Dogs are generally smaller, far more varied in appearance, and much more trusting of humans, while wolves are wild, wary, and hunt in packs to survive.
What are the main types of dog?
Domestic dogs come in hundreds of breeds, usually grouped by the jobs they were bred for: working dogs, herding dogs, hounds, terriers, gun dogs, toy or companion breeds, and utility dogs. They range enormously in size and temperament, from tiny lap dogs to powerful guard and sled dogs.
Why are dogs called man's best friend?
The phrase reflects the unusually close bond between dogs and people. Having lived alongside humans for millennia, dogs are loyal, affectionate, and quick to read our moods. They work with us, guard our homes, and offer steady companionship, which is why they have long been seen as our most devoted animal friend.
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