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

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 was warm, and covered in something heavy with a doggish animal smell.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman