noun
retriever
ree-TREE-vuhr
Retriever (noun) means a breed of dog trained to fetch game for hunters, known for being friendly and trainable. Example: “Golden retrievers are popular family pets as well as hunting dogs.”
noun
1
A breed of dog trained to fetch game for hunters, known for being friendly and trainable.
"Golden retrievers are popular family pets as well as hunting dogs."
2
A person or thing that retrieves something.
"The surgical retriever was used to remove the object safely."
How to use retriever
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly refers to the dog breed, but can describe anyone or anything that fetches or recovers something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
golden retriever
labrador retriever
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Word forms
- Plural
- retrievers
Fill the gap
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Golden _____ are popular family pets as well as hunting dogs.
Etymology
From retrieve + -er.
Rhymes for retriever
See all rhymes for retriever →Frequently asked questions
What does “retriever” mean?
The word “retriever” means a breed of dog trained to fetch game for hunters, known for being friendly and trainable. In plain terms, most commonly refers to the dog breed, but can describe anyone or anything that fetches or recovers something.
How do you pronounce “retriever”?
“Retriever” is pronounced ree-TREE-vuhr (/ɹiˈtɹivəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “retriever” in a sentence?
Here is “retriever” used in a sentence: “Golden retrievers are popular family pets as well as hunting dogs.”
What part of speech is “retriever”?
“Retriever” is a noun.
How many meanings does “retriever” have?
“Retriever” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a breed of dog trained to fetch game for hunters, known for being friendly and trainable.
