dog
/dɒɡ/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
A dog is a common domestic animal kept as a pet, for work, or for protection. It is a mammal with four legs and a tail.
- My dog sleeps at the foot of my bed.
- They have a dog to guard the house.
- The dog barked all night.
- 2.
A dog is used informally to describe a person, often in a negative or joking way. It can also mean a thing that is bad or of poor quality.
- He called me a dog in anger.
- That old car is a real dog.
- Don't be a dog to your friends.
Adinary Nuance
Dog is the everyday word for the animal, and it sounds neutral in almost all situations. Compared with puppy, it does not mean a young dog. Compared with canine, it is much more common and less formal. In speech, dog can also be insulting when used for a person or a bad thing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chó
- Spanish
- perro
- Chinese
- 狗
- Japanese
- 犬
- Korean
- 개
Etymology
Dog has been used in English since Old English, when the common word was docga. The exact origin is uncertain, but it became the standard word for the animal.
Common phrases
dog ownerdog barkdog foodworking dog
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is dog a formal word?
- No. It is the normal everyday word for the animal.
- What is the difference between dog and puppy?
- A puppy is a young dog. Dog is the general word for any age.
- Can dog be rude when used for a person?
- Yes. It can sound rude, insulting, or joking, depending on context.
- Is canine more formal than dog?
- Yes. Canine is more formal and often used in writing or science.