beagle

[bee-guhl]

noun

1. one of a breed of small hounds having long ears, short legs, and a usually black, tan, and white coat.

beagle

/ ˈbiːɡəl /

noun

1. a small sturdy breed of hound, having a smooth dense coat usually of white, tan, and black; often used (esp formerly) for hunting hares

2. archaic,  a person who spies on others

verb

1. (intr) to hunt with beagles, normally on foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of beagle¹

1490–1500; perhaps < Middle French beegueule one who whines insistently, equivalent to bee, 3rd person singular of beer to be open, gape (by-form of bayer ( bay ² ) + gueule mouth (of an animal); gullet

Word History and Origins

Origin of beagle¹

C15: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The worst they’ve done is smell up the house after rolling around outside with a couple of dirty beagles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Proof of that is in the presence of Meghan’s beloved beagle Guy, still loafing in the corner as our host roasts chicken and throws together caramelized onion tarts.

Read more on Salon

And obviously, Folds knows that a show that stars a beagle and a small yellow bird that defies classification is not the right place to get bogged down in the issues of the day.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I took my beagle Philly to Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach and watched him race around like the happiest hound in the world.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bowman found he could no longer travel without his dogs after Roscoe, a rescued beagle mix he once took to Victory Lane at Daytona, passed away two years ago while he was testing in Indianapolis.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• detective 
• gumshoe 
• private eye 
• private investigator 
• sleuth