Dalmatian

[ dal-mey-shuhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Dalmatia or its people.

noun

1. an inhabitant of Dalmatia, especially a member of the native Slavic-speaking people of Dalmatia.
2. Also called coach dog,. one of a breed of short-haired dogs having a white coat marked with black or brown spots.
3. a Romance language of Dalmatia, extinct since 1898.

Dalmatian

/ dælˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. Also called (esp formerly)carriage dogcoach dog a large breed of dog having a short smooth white coat with black or (in liver-spotted dalmatians) brown spots
2. a native or inhabitant of Dalmatia

adjective

1. of or relating to Dalmatia or its inhabitants

Word History and Origins

Origin of Dalmatian¹

First recorded in 1575–85; Dalmati(a) + -an

Example Sentences

That’s when Budweiser—perhaps one of the most iconic Super Bowl brands—aired its “wind never felt better” ad showcasing a Dalmatian, its ears flapping in the wind, to highlight that the company was now using wind power to help brew its beer.

From Time

Fatch, a Dalmatian, bit it in a random spot — leaving a mark — and returned it to me.

From FiveThirtyEight

Sometimes it is best to accept things at face value, and an English woman’s stubborn desire to skin Dalmatian puppies for fur coats presents a shining example.

From Washington Post

Now comes Cruella, starring Emma Stone as a young fashion designer who eventually develops an unhealthy obsession with Dalmatian furs.

From Time

She seems all the more threatening when compared to the 1950s femininity of unassuming and newly married housewife Anita Dearly, who welcomes a large litter of Dalmatian puppies into her home.

From Washington Post

But in the painting, because this is a Thomas Kinkade piece, Spotty looks like a sweet little Dalmatian.

From The Daily Beast

Budweiser: Dalmatian Trains Clydesdale Year: 2008 Ad Meter Score: 8.73 Kellogg Grade: A Share Price Change: -0.99 percent 14.

From The Daily Beast

He remembered many pleasant functions that he had attended in years past at the Dalmatian Embassy in London.

From Project Gutenberg

She was a secret agent—there was no doubt—working probably in the service of the Dalmatian government.

From Project Gutenberg

At the present moment a well-known lady fancier is striving to obtain a Dalmatian mouse.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a Dalmatian, whose family had given a Pope and many illustrious prelates to the Church.

From Project Gutenberg

My learning impressed them less than my skill in curing a pig according to a Dalmatian recipe.

From Project Gutenberg