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.

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puppy British  

/ ˈpʌpɪ /

noun

1. a young dog; pup

2. informal a brash or conceited young man; pup

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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

"I wanted to blend things that people love, which include food and puppies, in a way that hadn't been done before," she said.

From BBC

In August, days before Benjamin was set to start his senior year at Reseda Charter High School, masked agents surrounded him as he walked his family’s puppy, Athena.

From Los Angeles Times

An end to puppy farming and a possible ban on the use of electric shock dog collars are promised as part of a new animal welfare strategy being launched by the government on Monday.

From BBC

A law to tackle the smuggling of puppies and kittens into Britain has passed Parliament this week, after two previous attempts failed.

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dog
• pup
• whelp