retriever

American  

[ri-tree-ver] / rɪˈtri vər /

noun

1. a person or thing that retrieves.

2. one of any of several breeds of dogs having a coarse, thick, oily coat, trained to retrieve game.

3. any dog trained to retrieve game.

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retriever British  

/ rɪˈtriːvə /

noun

1. one of a breed of large gun dogs that can be trained to retrieve game See golden retriever Labrador retriever Chesapeake Bay retriever curly-coated retriever flat-coated retriever

2. any dog used to retrieve shot game

3. a person or thing that retrieves

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Etymology

Origin of retriever

First recorded in 1480–90; retrieve + -er ¹

Compare meaning

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

• Labrador vs. retriever

Explanation

If your dog brings back anything you throw for her, she's a retriever. Many retrievers are bred to work alongside hunters, fetching game birds. Even if your pup looks more like a mop than a Labrador retriever, you can still describe him as a retriever if he's intent on recovering every tennis ball you hurl across your yard. A retriever is a person or animal that retrieves things, or brings them back. So, strictly speaking, you're a retriever too, if you grab the runaway balls during your friends' tennis match! Retriever derives from the French verb trouver, "to find."

Example Sentences

When she did not, Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas then selected Officer Black to be the dog’s new owner.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

For those fortunate enough not to have seen this story yet, a quick recap: Walz has a Labrador Retriever mix named Scout, who crops up regularly on Walz's social media.

From Salon • Aug. 29, 2024

Winston, a Black Labrador Retriever, was specifically selected and trained by Guide Dogs WA to attend the Perth Children's Court building two to four times a week with his handler.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2024

Carol Henry, secretary of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland, said the aim of the gathering was to keep alive knowledge of the breed.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2023

He was half an Airedale and half a Retriever and the worst half of both.

From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers

Related Words

• beagle