retriever

American  

[ri-tree-ver] / rɪˈtri vər /

noun

1. a person or thing that retrieves.

2. one of any of several breeds of dogs having a coarse, thick, oily coat, trained to retrieve game.

3. any dog trained to retrieve game.

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retriever British  

/ rɪˈtriːvə /

noun

1. one of a breed of large gun dogs that can be trained to retrieve game See golden retriever Labrador retriever Chesapeake Bay retriever curly-coated retriever flat-coated retriever

2. any dog used to retrieve shot game

3. a person or thing that retrieves

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Etymology

Origin of retriever

First recorded in 1480–90; retrieve + -er ¹

Compare meaning

How does retriever compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Labrador vs. retriever

Example Sentences

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have uncovered new insights into the emotional lives of dogs, helping explain why some golden retrievers are more anxious, energetic, or aggressive than others.

From Science Daily

Imagine a baby Brachiosaurus no bigger than a golden retriever searching for plants alongside its siblings while trying to avoid predators eager for an easy meal.

From Science Daily

A young woman with two golden retrievers on tangled leashes gives us a small wave as she passes our bench.

From Literature

Today the only sounds were the cawing of an occasional magpie and the dry leaves crackling underfoot as Jonathan and his golden retriever, Moose, walked along the trail.

From Literature

When he entered the house, he was nearly overwhelmed by Grief—which was what his family called their golden retriever.

From Literature

Related Words

• beagle