hangdog

American  

[hang-dawg, -dog] / ˈhæŋˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

adjective

1. shamefaced; guilty.

   He sneaked out of the room with a hangdog expression.

   Synonyms:

   contrite, sheepish, ashamed

2. browbeaten; defeated; intimidated.

   He always went about with a hangdog look.

   Synonyms:

   crestfallen, wretched

   Antonyms:

   assured, confident

3. suitable to a degraded or contemptible person; sneaky; furtive.

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noun

1. a degraded, contemptible person.

hangdog British  

/ ˈhæŋˌdɒɡ /

adjective

1. downcast, furtive, or guilty in appearance or manner

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noun

1. a furtive or sneaky person

Etymology

Origin of hangdog

First recorded in 1670–80; hang + dog

Explanation

A hangdog look is one that betrays a feeling of shame, embarrassment, or fear. Your hangdog expression after sneaking a whoopee cushion onto your teacher's chair is a dead giveaway that you're guilty. Use the adjective hangdog to describe someone's cowering appearance or the sheepish look on her face. You might have a hangdog look if you're afraid of getting in trouble, or if you regret your actions. The now-obsolete root noun hang-dog was used in the 17th century to mean "a despicable, low person," or someone who's "only fit to hang a dog," or sometimes "only fit to be hung (like a dog)."

Example Sentences

But that hangdog Villaraigosa was nowhere to be seen tonight.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Finn Russell looked hangdog - and that takes some doing.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2023

In contrast, Walls' Kamal is the film's point guard, carrying the film with his dexterity as well as his deadpan and hangdog expressions.

From Salon • May 18, 2023

Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s hangdog former lawyer, is a key witness in the Manhattan district attorney’s case.

From New York Times • Mar. 31, 2023

Nor did Dr. Bogert’s sleek paleness abandon a certain hangdog attitude.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov