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.

---

doggish British  

/ ˈdɒɡɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or like a dog

2. surly; snappish

---

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

Douglas Campbell can be a simple-minded oaf one minute and a Judaic Henry V the next, and his voice ranges even more remarkably from a love-lyrical caress to a doggish snarl.

From Time Magazine Archive

He smiled the rubbery, doggish Ashton smile that all the men in his family shared, wide and toothy, with the canine teeth on full display.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood