noun
Uncommon
pup
puhp
Pup (noun) means a young dog, or the young of certain other animals such as wolves, seals, or sharks. Example: “The seal pup stayed close to its mother on the rocks.”
noun
1
A young dog, or the young of certain other animals such as wolves, seals, or sharks.
"The seal pup stayed close to its mother on the rocks."
"Our new puppy is just a pup, only eight weeks old."
2
A young or inexperienced person.
"He was just a pup when he started at the firm, fresh out of college."
verb
1
To give birth to pups.
"The dog pupped during the night."
How to use pup
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA baby animal, especially a dog, or informally a young/green person.
Common pairings
a litter of pups
young pup
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Word forms
- Plural
- pups
- Third person singular
- pups
- Past tense
- pupped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The seal _____ stayed close to its mother on the rocks.
Etymology
A shortened form of puppy.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pup” mean?
The word “pup” means a young dog, or the young of certain other animals such as wolves, seals, or sharks. In plain terms, a baby animal, especially a dog, or informally a young/green person.
How do you pronounce “pup”?
“Pup” is pronounced puhp (/pʌp/ in IPA).
How do you use “pup” in a sentence?
Here is “pup” used in a sentence: “The seal pup stayed close to its mother on the rocks.”
What part of speech is “pup”?
Depending on how it is used, “pup” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “pup” a common word?
“Pup” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pup” have?
“Pup” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young dog, or the young of certain other animals such as wolves, seals, or sharks.
What is the difference between a pup and a puppy?
Pup and puppy both refer to a young dog, but pup is the shorter, slightly more informal form and is also used more broadly for the young of other animals like wolves, seals, and sharks. Puppy is used almost exclusively for young dogs.
Can pup refer to animals other than dogs?
Yes, pup is commonly used for the young of seals, wolves, and even sharks, not just domestic dogs. This makes it a more general term than puppy, which is mainly reserved for young dogs.
What does it mean to call a person a pup?
When applied to a person, pup is an informal way of describing someone young or inexperienced, often with a mildly dismissive or affectionate tone. It implies the person still has much to learn, much like a young animal.
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