adj
purebred
Purebred (adj) means Bred from parents of the same breed, without crossbreeding. Example: “The show only accepts purebred dogs.”
adj
1
Bred from parents of the same breed, without crossbreeding.
"Delaney lifted her head, glaring at her only purebred dog—a black Dachshund with bladder control issues—who was tugging at his festively decorated dungaree wraparound diaper, trying to yank it off."
— Dakota Cassidy (2009)
"The show only accepts purebred dogs."
noun
1
An animal bred from parents of the same recognized breed.
"She raises purebreds for competition, not for pets."
How to use purebred
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn animal (usually a dog, cat, or horse) whose parents are both the same breed.
Common mistake
Not the same as "thoroughbred," which specifically refers to a breed of racehorse.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- purebreds
- Comparative
- more purebred
- Superlative
- most purebred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The show only accepts _____ dogs.
Etymology
From pure plus bred, the past tense of breed.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
crossbred
Heinz 57
mixed breed
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “purebred” mean?
The word “purebred” means bred from parents of the same breed, without crossbreeding. In plain terms, an animal (usually a dog, cat, or horse) whose parents are both the same breed.
How do you use “purebred” in a sentence?
Here is “purebred” used in a sentence: “The show only accepts purebred dogs.”
What is the opposite of “purebred”?
The opposite of “purebred” — its antonyms — are Heinz 57 and mixed breed.
What part of speech is “purebred”?
Depending on how it is used, “purebred” can be an adjective and a noun.
How many meanings does “purebred” have?
“Purebred” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: bred from parents of the same breed, without crossbreeding.
