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

---

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

Martin had travelled from Woodford Green in east London to be at the property, where there were two adult XL bullies – called Beauty and Bear – and eight puppies.

From BBC

Esther Martin, 68, had been left in the property with the two dogs, eight puppies and a child while Warren filmed a music video in London on 3 February 2024.

From BBC

Leaving her in charge of the two XL bully dogs – and eight puppies was a "tragedy waiting to happen", prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said.

From BBC

Ring’s 30-second “Search Party” ad showed neighbors’ cameras and artificial intelligence helping locate a missing puppy.

From Salon

She features photos from her point of view—reading in a cafe, driving with a puppy in her lap, traveling around Istanbul.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dog
• pup
• whelp