dog-eared
Americanadjective
-
having dog-ears
-
shabby or worn
Etymology
Origin of dog-eared
First recorded in 1775–85
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.
If journalism is the first draft of history, documentary filmmaking is often an overdue, dog-eared galley proof with no cover art.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 25, 2025
A dog-eared punk zine flutters near a vellum-bound folio.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025
"This one changed my life," he says, pulling out a dog-eared copy of Pete Rock's They Reminisce Over You.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2025
"Sinners" is culture vulture bait, laden with multiple meanings and dog-eared history pages, and who can resist a puzzle?
From Salon ● May 2, 2025
It was clearly an old book, with a binding that had been mended more than once and with several pages dog-eared throughout.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.