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

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

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“I got a puppy afterwards, and his name is Squid.”

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“I see one of your space dogs has just had puppies,” Jackie said.

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The FDA said Friday it had given the authorization after concluding that it is reasonable to believe that the tablets, called Credelio, may be effective in treating New World screwworm infestations in dogs and puppies.

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Republicans are more than fine with cruelty to humans, but apparently even they are leery of trying to elect a puppy killer.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• dog 
• pup 
• whelp