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
• puppyish adjective
• puppydom noun
• 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

He bounds across the stage like a puppy - or is it a youth pastor? - covering the length of the catwalk several times within the first few songs.

From BBC

The Times’ investigation found that some puppies advertised on social media, online marketplaces or through breeder websites as being California-bred were actually imported from out-of-state puppy mills.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2014 it was reported that a labrador in Scotland had given birth to 15 puppies, which its owner claimed was one of the biggest on record for the breed.

From BBC

The former South Dakota governor revealed in her memoir that she once shot and killed her 14-month-old puppy, believing it to be a danger to her family.

From Salon

I see architecture as a living thing, and this was like seeing a puppy that was not being taken care of.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dog 
• pup 
• whelp