doggish

American  

[daw-gish, dog-ish] / ˈdɔ gɪʃ, ˈdɒg ɪʃ /

adjective

1. like a dog; canine.

   doggish affection.

2. surly; mean.

   a doggish temper.

3. stylish and showy.

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doggish British  

/ ˈdɒɡɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or like a dog

2. surly; snappish

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Other Word Forms

• doggishly
  adverb
• doggishness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of doggish

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at dog, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

For me, their complementary approaches of demure, catlike problem-solving and doggish, walnut-knuckled obstinacy are as mind-expanding and revelatory as anything Schreber and Wittgenstein ever wrote.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2020

Meanwhile Murphy, the dog, is getting into the act, in a more doggish way.

From Washington Post • Apr. 3, 2020

But overall, the human race would be a lot better if we all strove — doggedly — to be a little more, er, doggish.

From Washington Post • Jun. 5, 2019

Colored black, yellow and white, it had long, sharply pointed ears, short whiskers, stub tail, short doggish hair.

From Time Magazine Archive

Each question I asked was answered in their own doggish way.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls