mongrel

[ muhng-gruhl, mong- ]

noun

1. a dog of mixed or indeterminate breed.

   Synonyms: mutt

2. any animal or plant resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties.

   Synonyms: half-breed, cross

   Antonyms: purebred, thoroughbred

3. any cross between different things, especially if inharmonious or indiscriminate.

adjective

1. of mixed breed, nature, or origin; of or like a mongrel.

mongrel

/ ˈmʌŋɡrəl /

noun

1. a plant or animal, esp a dog, of mixed or unknown breeding; a crossbreed or hybrid
2. taboo.
   a person of mixed race
3. sport toughness and physical aggression

   a tall southpaw with plenty of mongrel

adjective

1. of mixed origin, breeding, character, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈmongrelism, noun
• ˈmongrelly, adjective

Other Words From

• mongrel·ism mongrel·ness noun
• mongrel·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mongrel¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English (once): heraldic term for a type of dog; equivalent to mong(e) “mixture” ( Old English gemang; mingle ) + -rel

Word History and Origins

Origin of mongrel¹

C15: from obsolete mong mixture; compare Old English gemong a mingling

Synonym Study

See hybrid.

Example Sentences

“Then we started selling life insurance policies, because no one else would sell it to us, because we were all full of tuberculosis, and we were a mongrel race of Indian blood and Mexican blood,” deadpanned Rogelio Briones, a former La Mutua president, who led me on a tour of the headquarters.

From Los Angeles Times

“They’re fire-worshippers, you pig-eating mongrel,” hissed Rasseem.

From Literature

Bruce, "the rescue centre mongrel", sadly died from the tumour at the age of 12.

From BBC

They have not yet missed Stuart Broad's bowling because of how few pacemen have been chosen on the tour, but they have missed his mongrel.

From BBC

Not so much dog days as the mongrel years.

From BBC