collie

American  

[kol-ee] / ˈkɒl i /

noun

1. one of a breed of dogs having a usually long, black, tan, and white or sable and white coat, raised originally in Scotland for herding sheep.

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collie British  

/ ˈkɒlɪ /

noun

1. any of several silky-coated breeds of dog developed for herding sheep and cattle See Border collie rough collie bearded collie

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Other Word Forms

• collielike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of collie

1645–55; perhaps Scots colle coal (in reference to the original coloration of the breed) + -ie; compare Middle English Colle dog's name

Compare meaning

How does collie compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Shetland sheepdog vs. collie

Example Sentences

This year he has brought two Bernese, a Border Collie, a Pomeranian and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

It was early 1996, and a young alternative band known as the Smashing Pumpkins was embarking on a worldwide tour for their newest album, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025

Scottish FA chief medical officer Jonny Gordon and national team physio Stuart Collie are in regular communication with clubs.

From BBC • May 21, 2024

Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary studied two very smart dogs – a Border Collie called Whisky and a Yorkshire terrier named Vicky Nina.

From NewsForKids.net • Mar. 5, 2024

Still, it seemed his pick of the week was the Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx