Woof Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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woof

[wʊf ]

Definition

Context #1 | Interjection

animal sound

The sound made by a dog.

Examples of usage

  • The dog let out a loud 'woof' when the mailman arrived.
  • I could hear the 'woof' of the neighbor's dog from across the street.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Dogs bark for various reasons: to alert, play, or express excitement or anxiety.
  • Each breed has a distinct barking style; some small dogs bark more frequently, while larger breeds may have deeper barks.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, clever scripts use 'woof' to create humorous moments or show a dog's personality.
  • Cartoons often exaggerate the sound for comedy, making it a beloved sound for portraying dogs.

Linguistics

  • Onomatopoeia makes 'woof' a word that sounds like the action it describes: barking.
  • Different cultures have their own words that imitate the sound of a dog; for example, Spanish speakers say 'guau'.

Education

  • 'Woof' is often used in children's books and programs to help young readers associate words with sounds.
  • Sound recognition in early childhood literacy includes linking animal sounds like 'woof' to their written forms.

Origin of 'woof'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'woof' has origins in Middle English as 'wulf', reflecting sounds dogs made.
  • It was adopted into modern English to imitate the barking sound, showing how language evolves from sounds in nature.

The word 'woof' is an onomatopoeic representation of the sound made by a dog. It dates back to the 15th century and is widely used in English to mimic the barking sound of a dog. The term is simple and straightforward, making it easy to understand and recognize in various contexts.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,177, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.