pup

American  

[puhp] / pʌp /

noun

1. a young dog; puppy.

2. the young of certain other animals, as the rat, shark, or fur seal.

3. a small plant developing as an offshoot from a mature plant.

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verb (used without object)

pupped, pupping

1. to give birth to pups.

pup British  

/ pʌp /

noun

1. 1. a young dog, esp when under one year of age; puppy

   2. the young of various other animals, such as the seal

2. (of a bitch) pregnant

3. informal a conceited young man (esp in the phrase young pup )

4. to swindle someone by selling him something worthless

5. slang it's early yet

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verb

1. (of dogs, seals, etc) to give birth to (young)

Etymology

Origin of pup

First recorded in 1580–90; shortened variant of puppy

Example Sentences

“I saw a peddler play a saw once when I was just a pup, so I taught myself to play. Pop thought I was a fool at first,” Calvin said.

From Literature

Can I spend more time reading, cooking, volunteering and playing with my pups?

From MarketWatch

Prehistoric wolf pup’s last meal sheds light on wooly rhino.

From MarketWatch

Wanting time to say goodbye to our new pup, we agreed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Drysdale paced back and forth like a nervous dog guarding her pups.

From Literature

Related Words

• baby
• brood
• child
• cub
• daughter
• descendant
• generation
• heir
• kid
• progeny
• son