dog
a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
: See also canid.
any carnivore of the dog family Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears.
the male of such an animal.
any of various animals resembling a dog.
a despicable man or youth.
Informal. a fellow in general: a lucky dog.
dogs, Slang. feet.
Slang.
something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
Slang. an ugly, boring, or crude person.
Slang. hot dog.
Dog, Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
Machinery.
any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
a cramp binding together two timbers.
an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
to follow or track like a dog, especially with hostile intent; hound: After the film, the actor was dogged by paparazzi.
to cause persistent problems or distress; haunt; plague: She was dogged by a sense of guilt over her part in the scandal.
to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
Machinery. to fasten with dogs.
Idioms about dog
dog it, Informal.
to shirk one's responsibility; loaf on the job.
to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: Her sponsor dogged it when she needed him most.
go to the dogs, Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
lead a dog's life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He complains that he led a dog's life in the army.
let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
put on the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.
throw (someone or something) to the wolves / dogs, Informal. wolf (def. 13).
Origin of dog
1Other words from dog
- dog·less, adjective
- dog·like, adjective
Words Nearby dog
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dog in a sentence
One step at a time, clumsily restraining an overexcited dog, we lowered ourselves into the valley.
A day’s drive from Chicago, exploring a very different Illinois | Carson Vaughan | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post“Susan even asked if she could bring pet food for our dog, when she heard him barking through the door,” she added.
Restaurants throw away a lot of food. These volunteers pick it up first and take it to people who are hungry. | Cathy Free | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostSome people walk dogs out of love, or duty, or because their parents make them.
I take my dog on hikes and when the world isn’t in shambles, I love traveling.
As I walked the dog the other morning, I tried to remember the last time My Lovely Wife and I overslept and didn’t get the trash out in time.
When you walk a dog, your mind is as likely to wander as the dog is | John Kelly | February 10, 2021 | Washington Post
Indeed, although he works here in the old town, he lives in the new part of the city where he walks his dog in the morning.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech | Liza Foreman | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTUp till then I was just a dog-assed heavy, one of the posse.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHangover Rx: “The old ‘hair of the dog’ is pretty much just a myth,” says White.
His latest book is a short story collection, Even a Street dog: Las Vegas Stories.
Will Hyman Roth Return to Havana With Normalized Relations? | John L. Smith | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd just last May Glee aired “Old dog, New Trick,” the first episode scripted by Colfer.
Chris Colfer on Writing, Acting, and the Pain of Being A Pop Culture Trailblazer | Oliver Jones | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA little boy of four was moved to passionate grief at the sight of a dead dog taken from a pond.
Children's Ways | James SullyA was an Archer, who shot at a frog; B was a Butcher, and had a great dog.
The dog stood with hanging head and tail, as if ashamed he had let so many of his enemies get away unharmed.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnThese words were uttered in a guarded whisper by a boy about seventeen years of age, to a great dog that stood by his side.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnAt the word of command, the dog crouched down, his whole body quivering with excitement.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
British Dictionary definitions for dog
/ (dɒɡ) /
a domesticated canine mammal, Canis familiaris, occurring in many breeds that show a great variety in size and form
(as modifier): dog biscuit
any other carnivore of the family Canidae, such as the dingo and coyote
(as modifier): the dog family Related adjective: canine
the male of animals of the dog family
(as modifier): a dog fox
(modifier)
spurious, inferior, or useless: dog Latin
(in combination): dogberry
a mechanical device for gripping or holding, esp one of the axial slots by which gear wheels or shafts are engaged to transmit torque
informal a fellow; chap: you lucky dog
informal a man or boy regarded as unpleasant, contemptible, or wretched
US informal a male friend: used as a term of address
slang an unattractive or boring girl or woman
US and Canadian informal something unsatisfactory or inferior
short for firedog
a dog's chance no chance at all
a dog's dinner or a dog's breakfast informal something that is messy or bungled
a dog's life a wretched existence
dog eat dog ruthless competition or self-interest
like a dog's dinner informal dressed smartly or ostentatiously
put on the dog US and Canadian informal to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner
to pursue or follow after like a dog
to trouble; plague: to be dogged by ill health
to chase with a dog or dogs
to grip, hold, or secure by a mechanical device
(usually in combination) thoroughly; utterly: dog-tired
Origin of dog
1- See also dogs
Derived forms of dog
- doglike, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with dog
In addition to the idioms beginning with dog
- dog days
- dog eat dog
- dog in the manger
- dog it
also see:
- coon's (dog's) age
- every dog has its day
- go to pot (the dogs)
- hair of the dog
- hot dog
- in the doghouse
- let sleeping dogs lie
- put on the dog
- rain cats and dogs
- see a man about a dog
- shaggy dog story
- sick as a dog
- tail wagging the dog
- teach an old dog new tricks
- throw to the wolves (dogs)
- top banana (dog)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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