noun
whelp
wehlp
Whelp (noun) means a young dog, wolf, or similar animal; a pup or cub. Example: “The mother wolf guarded her whelps closely.”
noun
1
A young dog, wolf, or similar animal; a pup or cub.
"The mother wolf guarded her whelps closely."
2
An insolent or disrespectful young person (dated or humorous use).
"How dare you speak to me like that, you young whelp!"
verb
1
To give birth, said of an animal such as a dog.
"The stray whelped four puppies under the porch."
How to use whelp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA young animal, especially a puppy or wolf cub — or, old-fashioned, a rude young person.
When to use it
The "insolent youth" sense is dated and mostly seen in older literature.
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Word forms
- Plural
- whelps
- Third person singular
- whelps
- Past tense
- whelped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mother wolf guarded her _____ closely.
Etymology
From Old English hwelp, a Germanic word for the young of an animal, related to Dutch welp and German Welpe.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for whelp
See all rhymes for whelp →Frequently asked questions
What does “whelp” mean?
The word “whelp” means a young dog, wolf, or similar animal; a pup or cub. In plain terms, a young animal, especially a puppy or wolf cub — or, old-fashioned, a rude young person.
How do you pronounce “whelp”?
“Whelp” is pronounced wehlp (/wɛlp/ in IPA).
How do you use “whelp” in a sentence?
Here is “whelp” used in a sentence: “The mother wolf guarded her whelps closely.”
What part of speech is “whelp”?
Depending on how it is used, “whelp” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “whelp” come from?
The word “whelp” comes from Old English. From Old English hwelp, a Germanic word for the young of an animal, related to Dutch welp and German Welpe.
How many meanings does “whelp” have?
“Whelp” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a young dog, wolf, or similar animal; a pup or cub.
