collie

[ kol-ee ]

noun

1. one of a breed of dogs having a usually long, black, tan, and white or sable and white coat, raised originally in Scotland for herding sheep.

collie

/ ˈkɒlɪ /

noun

1. any of several silky-coated breeds of dog developed for herding sheep and cattle See Border collie rough collie bearded collie

Other Words From

• collie·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of collie¹

1645–55; perhaps Scots colle coal (in reference to the original coloration of the breed) + -ie; compare Middle English Colle dog's name

Word History and Origins

Origin of collie¹

C17: Scottish, probably from earlier colie black with coal dust, from cole coal

Example Sentences

She jumped out of bed in her nightgown, chased after her 10-year-old border collie, Henry Valentine, and ran to her car in a pair of sandals.

From Los Angeles Times

Energetic and highly intelligent, border collies are traditionally bred to be herding dogs.

From Los Angeles Times

His border collies greeted him at the door.

From Los Angeles Times

His Palm Dog collar was instead symbolically wrapped around a border collie named Stan that lacked the thespian’s piercing blue eyes.

From Seattle Times

The border collie, who’s been enlisted to shoot daily videos for French TV, frolicked up and down the carpet ahead of the opening ceremony.

From Seattle Times