puppy

[puhp-ee]

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

/ ˈpʌpɪ /

noun

1. a young dog; pup

2. informal,  a brash or conceited young man; pup

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of puppy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of puppy¹

C15 popi, from Old French popée doll; compare _puppet

Example Sentences

We don’t allow puppies or kittens to be separated from their mothers until at least 8 weeks following their birth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He grabbed them by the scruff of the neck and gave them a good shake, until they started to yap and nip each other playfully, just as puppies would.

Read more on Literature

“Stay here, don’t move,” Gibby had said, like Ridge was a puppy.

Read more on Literature

In this “save Christmas” special of the kid-popular series, computer-animated puppies in knit sweaters step in when a cold sidelines a sick Santa, threatening the delivery of presents and the true meaning of Christmas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Someone had found a litter of abandoned puppies in a box in the danger zone of the testing field.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dog 
• pup 
• whelp