whelp
Whelp (noun) means a young dog, wolf, or similar animal; a pup or cub. Example: “The mother wolf guarded her whelps closely.”
How to use whelp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA young animal, especially a puppy or wolf cub — or, old-fashioned, a rude young person.
The "insolent youth" sense is dated and mostly seen in older literature.
Word forms
whelped past tense, whelps plural, whelps singular
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
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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.