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

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

Could it be used for more than just a wayward puppy?

From The Wall Street Journal

Some golden lines swirled in rings, like puppies who chased their own tails.

From Literature

At the end of the show, viewers saw pictures of the puppies in their new “Fur-ever Homes” across the U.S.

From Salon

Related Words

• dog
• pup
• whelp