English setter

American  

noun

1. one of a breed of medium-sized, long-haired bird dogs having a flat, usually black-and-white or tan-and-white coat.

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English setter British  

noun

1. a breed of setter having a white coat speckled with liver, brown, or yellowish markings

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Etymology

Origin of English setter

First recorded in 1855–60

Compare meaning

How does english-setter compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• English setter vs. Irish setter

Example Sentences

Not long after that, we had a beautiful English setter named Pete who apparently had come to the door.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2024

During much of the session, Walton reminisced wistfully, as any bar stool companion might, talking about decades-old pie-eating contests and his beloved English setter Ol’ Roy, who gave his name to the popular dog-food brand.

From Washington Post • Nov. 25, 2022

Trumpet beat a French bulldog, a German shepherd, a Maltese, an English setter, a Samoyed and a Lakeland terrier to take the trophy in the 146th Westminster.

From Washington Times • Jun. 22, 2022

Andy: At the moment I’m just happy the Gordon setter is playing Switzerland between the English setter and the Irish setter.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2020

On hearing his name, Franklin lifted his troubled, regal head from the recesses of the hatchback, and I saw the black-and-white markings of an English setter.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides