Dogs: meaning, definitions and examples

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dogs

[dɔːɡz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

pet

Dogs are domesticated mammals, not natural wild animals. They were originally bred from wolves. They have been bred by humans for thousands of years, resulting in a wide range of breeds with different characteristics.

Synonyms

canine, hound, pooch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dogs	Common, everyday usage to refer to the domesticated animal that is a pet or working animal. Suitable for general conversation and informal contexts. She loves walking her dogs in the park The dogs are barking a lot today
canine	More formal or scientific context, often used to describe things related to dogs, such as their teeth or professional terms in veterinary science. The veterinarian checked the canine's health Canine teeth are particularly sharp
pooch	Informal and affectionate context, often used in a playful or loving manner when referring to a pet dog. That's a cute pooch you've got there! I love spending time with my pooch at the beach
hound	Used to describe a specific type of dog that is bred for hunting. Can also have a slightly negative connotation when describing a person who is persistently pursuing something. The hound is tracking the scent of the deer He's always hounding me about my work

Examples of usage

They adopted a rescue dog from the shelter.
My neighbor's dog is very friendly.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

insult

In slang, 'dogs' can sometimes refer to feet. It is often used to describe tired or sore feet.

Synonyms

feet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dogs	Used to refer to the animal, typically as a pet or working animal. It can be used in both casual and formal conversation. I love taking my dogs for a walk in the park. Dogs are known for their loyalty to their owners.

Examples of usage

After walking all day, my dogs are killing me.
I need to sit down and rest, my dogs are tired.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

criticize

To 'dog' someone means to follow or pursue them persistently, often in a harassing or annoying way.

Synonyms

hound, pursue, stalk.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dogs	Use this word to refer to multiple domesticated canine animals, particularly in a casual or general setting. I have two dogs at home. Dogs are often considered man's best friend.
stalk	Used for describing the act of stealthily following someone or something, usually with harmful intent. It often has a very negative connotation. The lion stalks its prey, waiting for the right moment to attack. She felt uneasy because she believed someone was stalking her.
hound	Typically used to refer to a type of dog bred for hunting, but can also imply persistent pursuit. The latter use often carries a negative connotation. The hunter released his hound to track the scent. The paparazzi hound the celebrities, never giving them any peace.
pursue	Best used in the context of chasing or following with the intent to catch or achieve something, often in a determined or focused manner. She decided to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. The police officers pursue the suspect through the alley.

Examples of usage

The paparazzi dogged the celebrity's every move.
He felt like bad luck was dogging him wherever he went.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'dog' traces back to Old English 'docga', a term for a powerful breed.
The exact origins of the term are uncertain, but it has transformed in many languages, often to signify loyalty.
The Latin word 'canis' refers to the dog family, highlighting its early domestication.

History

Dogs were one of the first domesticated animals, dating back to at least 15,000 years ago.
Archaeological evidence suggests they were likely bred from wolves, showing a long history of human-animal companionship.
Throughout history, dogs have served as hunters, herders, and guardians, playing vital roles in human societies.

Science

Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell, estimated to be up to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans.
They can be trained to detect various substances, including drugs and even diseases like cancer.
Research shows that dogs are capable of understanding human emotion, responding to cues like our tone of voice.

Pop Culture

Dogs have starred in countless movies, from the adventurous 'Lassie' to the heartwarming 'Marley & Me'.
The 2015 animated film 'The Secret Life of Pets' highlights the amusing antics of dogs when left home alone.
Dogs often play roles in popular video games, like the loyal companion 'Dogmeat' in 'Fallout' series.

Psychology

Studies show that owning a dog can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promoting mental well-being.
The act of petting a dog releases oxytocin, known as the 'love hormone,' which strengthens human-animal bonds.
Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and emotional support to individuals in hospitals or therapy settings.

Translations

Translations of the word "dogs" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cães

🇮🇳 कुत्ते

🇩🇪 Hunde

🇮🇩 anjing

🇺🇦 собаки

🇵🇱 psy

🇯🇵 犬 (いぬ)

🇫🇷 chiens

🇪🇸 perros

🇹🇷 köpekler

🇰🇷 개 (gae)

🇸🇦 كلاب (kilab)

🇨🇿 psi

🇸🇰 psy

🇨🇳 狗 (gǒu)

🇸🇮 psi

🇮🇸 hundar

🇰🇿 иттер

🇬🇪 ძაღლები (dzaghlebi)

🇦🇿 itlər

🇲🇽 perros

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,172, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3169 expanded
3170 discover
3171 governing
3172 dogs
3173 viewed
3174 attributed
3175 clients
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