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Synonyms

puppy

American  
[puhp-ee] / ˈpʌp i /

noun

plural

puppies

  1. a young dog, especially one less than a year old.

  2. Fox Hunting. a foxhound that has hunted regularly for less than one season.

  3. pup.

  4. a presuming, conceited, or empty-headed young man.

puppy British  
/ ˈpʌpɪ /

noun

  1. a young dog; pup

  2. informal a brash or conceited young man; pup

"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

Other Word Forms

  • puppydom noun
  • puppyhood noun
  • puppyish adjective
  • puppylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of puppy

First recorded in 1480–90; earlier popi; puppet, -y 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A puppy is getting a new leash on life after being rescued with life-threatening facial injuries in Pasadena.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

The 2½-month-old puppy, Peanut, was brought in as a stray on March 9 after being rescued by a good Samaritan in Arcadia, according to Jamie Holeman, chief marketing and communications officer at Pasadena Humane.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Sam is hapless and downwardly mobile, yet he’s as likable as a shy puppy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

"What a week. Getting a puppy, getting engaged and winning a title - I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life," Belarusian Sabalenka said.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Nancy's Labrador retriever puppy, Chocolate Chip, jumped after her.

From "Scream for Ice Cream: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #2" by Carolyn Keene

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.