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Hangdog: meaning, definitions and examples

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hangdog

 

[ หˆhรฆล‹หŒdษ”g ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

emotion, demeanor

The term 'hangdog' is used to describe someone who appears to be in a pitiful or dejected state. It often conveys a sense of guilty or shameful submission. The expression can also suggest that a person wears a sad or remorseful look, as if they are overly aware of their faults or shortcomings. It can be used humorously or disparagingly, depending on the context.

Synonyms

crestfallen, dejected, morose

Examples of usage

  • He walked into the room with a hangdog expression after failing the exam.
  • Her hangdog demeanor showed how much she regretted her decision.
  • The dog had a hangdog look when it realized it was going to the vet.
  • After the argument, he sat there with a hangdog attitude.

Translations

Translations of the word "hangdog" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cachorrinho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคถเคฐเฅเคฎเคฟเค‚เคฆเคพ เค•เฅเคคเฅเคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schmuser

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ anjing yang menyesal

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐัะผัƒั‡ะตะฝะธะน ะฟะตั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ smutny pies

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆ‚ฒใ—ใใ†ใช็Šฌ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท chien penaud

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ perro arrepentido

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท piลŸman kรถpek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์Šฌํ”ˆ ๊ฐœ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒู„ุจ ุญุฒูŠู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ smutnรฝ pes

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ smutnรฝ pes

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅคฑ่ฝ็š„็‹—

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลพalosten pes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sorgmรฆddur hundur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐะนา“ั‹ะปั‹ ะธั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒฌแƒ”แƒ แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜ แƒซแƒแƒฆแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ peลŸman it

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ perro arrepentido

Etymology

The word 'hangdog' originates from the early 19th century in the United States. It combines 'hang' and 'dog', where 'hang' suggests a drooping or slumped posture, much like a dog that is feeling lackluster. The term paints an image of a dog with its head down, embodying a sense of defeat or sadness. It's believed to be influenced by the way dogs, often seen as loyal companions, behave when they sense displeasure or guilt. Thus, 'hangdog' came to symbolize a person who embodies these traits of guilt or dejection. Over the years, it has found its way into humorous or light-hearted contexts, but it can also carry a more serious tone when referring to someone's emotional state.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,535, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.