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

Explanation

A puppy is a baby dog. Unless you're more of a cat person, there's nothing cuter than puppies playing together. When a dog is born, it's a puppy. Puppies, like most mammals, start out very small and quickly grow larger — in fact, some puppies' coats change color as they mature, resulting in a fully grown dog that looks completely different. In the fifteenth century, a puppy was specifically "a woman's small pet dog," from the Middle French poupée, "doll or toy."

Example Sentences

The veterinary team brought the puppy inside, examined it and contacted Animal Services.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Video from inside the animal urgent care shows the tiny puppy sitting outside the entrance and jumping up on the door before staff members spotted it at 4:11 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Sam is hapless and downwardly mobile, yet he’s as likable as a shy puppy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Like a giddy toddler toying with a puppy - now you see the ball, now it's skipping into your net.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

With a burst of puppy rocket fuel, Tater sprang out of Abby’s arms and flew into the train.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• dog
• pup
• whelp