retriever

[ ri-tree-ver ]

noun

1. a person or thing that retrieves.
2. one of any of several breeds of dogs having a coarse, thick, oily coat, trained to retrieve game.
3. any dog trained to retrieve game.

retriever

/ rɪˈtriːvə /

noun

1. one of a breed of large gun dogs that can be trained to retrieve game See golden retriever Labrador retriever Chesapeake Bay retriever curly-coated retriever flat-coated retriever
2. any dog used to retrieve shot game
3. a person or thing that retrieves

Word History and Origins

Origin of retriever¹

First recorded in 1480–90; retrieve + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Ami, a black retriever, gives every suitcase that rolls in on the baggage claim belts a good sniff on all sides.

From BBC

He doesn’t mind if you label him a “chubby chaser,” but he’ll call you a “golden retriever” for being turned on by bones.

From Los Angeles Times

Hollywood has even made movies about them — take 1993’s “Homeward Bound,” in which an American bulldog, a golden retriever and a Himalayan cat make their way through the Sierra Nevada to San Francisco to reunite with their family.

From Los Angeles Times

Inspectors eventually were allowed in, and found two dead puppies and a severely emaciated golden retriever among other suffering dogs, according to U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

For those fortunate enough not to have seen this story yet, a quick recap: Walz has a Labrador Retriever mix named Scout, who crops up regularly on Walz's social media.

From Salon

Related Words

• beagle