canine
Americanadjective
-
of or like a dog; relating to or characteristic of dogs.
canine loyalty.
-
Anatomy, Zoology. of or relating to the four pointed teeth, especially prominent in dogs, situated one on each side of each jaw, next to the incisors.
adjective
-
of or resembling a dog; doglike
-
of, relating to, or belonging to the Canidae, a family of mammals, including dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes, typically having a bushy tail, erect ears, and a long muzzle: order Carnivora (carnivores)
-
of or relating to any of the four teeth, two in each jaw, situated between the incisors and the premolars
noun
-
any animal of the family Canidae
-
a canine tooth
-
Characteristic of or resembling dogs, wolves, or related animals.
-
Relating to any of the four pointed teeth located behind the incisors in most mammals. In carnivores, the canine teeth are adapted for cutting and tearing meat.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of canine
1350–1400; Middle English canine canine tooth (< Middle French ) < Latin canīnus, equivalent to can ( is ) dog + -īnus -ine 1
Explanation
Canine is how zoologists refer to all mammals with snouts and non-retractable claws. Sound familiar? That's right, Fido is a canine. (All dogs are.) Coyotes and wolves are canines, too. The sharp pointy teeth in your mouth are also called canines. Like wolves, we use these sharp incisors to tear meat from the bone, though these days we tend to get some help in that department from knives and forks. Fun fact: The police call their drug-sniffing dogs the K-9 unit. Get it?
Vocabulary lists containing canine
Dog Vocabulary: A Canine Lexicon
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Lexical Zoo of Animal Adjectives
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Animal Adjectives
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Canine Companions service dogs enhance independence for their handlers by picking up dropped items, opening and closing doors and more.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 26, 2024
Canine or feline, your ideal traveling companion is also your avatar.
From Salon • Mar. 5, 2024
I have been partnered with Oscar, a yellow Labrador paired through charity Canine Partners, for over a year - he joined for my final year following a medical deferral.
From BBC • Dec. 2, 2023
Handlers can pay for professional training from Canine Companions for Independence or Guide Dogs for the Blind.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023
We print all the latest Canine and Feline news; but never mind.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, June 20, 1917 by Seaman, Owen, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
