doggish

[ daw-gish, dog-ish ]

adjective
  1. like a dog; canine: doggish affection.

  2. surly; mean: a doggish temper.

  1. stylish and showy.

Origin of doggish

1
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at dog, -ish1

Other words from doggish

  • dog·gish·ly, adverb
  • dog·gish·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use doggish in a sentence

  • Quard lingered a moment, with a fatuous smile for the panels of the closed door, and wagged his head doggishly.

    Joan Thursday | Louis Joseph Vance
  • He planted his hat doggishly at the back of his head, stuck his hands into his pockets, and swaggered after his employer.

    Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
  • She would laugh up at him and pat his shoulder and that shoulder would straighten spryly and he would waggle his head doggishly.

    Gigolo | Edna Ferber
  • He was piteously, doggishly thankful for his drink, and he cried as he bleated out his prayers for my good health.

    The Chequers | James Runciman

British Dictionary definitions for doggish

doggish

/ (ˈdɒɡɪʃ) /


adjective
  1. of or like a dog

  2. surly; snappish

Derived forms of doggish

  • doggishly, adverb
  • doggishness, noun

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