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dawg

American  
[dawg, dog] / dɔg, dɒg /

noun

Slang.
  1. an informal, playful spelling of dog.

    Their doormat says, “Welcome to the dawg pound.”

    I’d let that sleeping dawg lie if I were you.

  2. guy; man; fellow; buddy (also used as a term of address).

    I don’t think so, dawg, but that’s just my opinion.

    You lucky dawg, you!


Etymology

Origin of dawg

First recorded in 1845–50, as a dialectal variant of dog ( def. ); 1930–35 dawg for def. 1; 2000–05 dawg for def. 2


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“Just having that dawg mentality,” Durant said after the game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 2025

“She also lost to Nevada candidates ‘Not feelin’ it today’ and ‘Gonna be a no from me, dawg.’

From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2024

“Don’t worry, dawg, I can clean it up for you in six.”

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2023

He has that dawg in him for sure.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 22, 2023

“Me scramble ’round tuh git de money tuh take yuh—been workin’ lak uh dawg for two whole weeks—and she come astin’ me if Ah want her tuh go!

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

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