dingo

[ding-goh]

noun

plural

dingoes 

1. a wolflike, wild dog, Canis familiaris dingo, of Australia, having a reddish- or yellowish-brown coat.

2. Australian.,  a cowardly or treacherous person.

dingo

/ ˈdɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. a wild dog, Canis dingo, of Australia, having a yellowish-brown coat and resembling a wolf

2. slang,  a cheat or coward

verb

1. 1. to act in a cowardly manner

   2. to drop out of something

2. (foll by on) to let (someone) down

Word History and Origins

Origin of dingo¹

First recorded in 1789, dingo is from the Dharuk word din-gu tame dingo

Word History and Origins

Origin of dingo¹

C18: native Australian name

Example Sentences

They’re threatened by conflict with humans, dogs and dingoes and a disease called Devil Facial Tumor Disease that only affects the species.

From Los Angeles Times

She was falsely convicted of murder after her infant daughter Azaria was taken from an outback campsite by a dingo.

From BBC

The researchers examined remains at the Curracurrang archaeological site, south of Sydney, where radiocarbon dating of dingo bones revealed the animals were buried alongside humans as far back as 2,000 years ago.

From Science Daily

The team in the UK identified 25 different kinds of animals, including tigers, lemurs and dingoes.

From NewsForKids.net

Moffat bloodied his fingers on the dingo’s fangs as he punched it.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• mutt 
• pooch 
• pup