dog paddle

¹

noun

1. a simple swimming stroke mainly used to stay afloat while remaining almost stationary in the water, executed by paddling both arms underwater while kicking the legs, with the body in a crouching position and the head above water.

dog-paddle

²

[ dawg-pad-l, dog- ]

verb (used without object)

, dog-pad·dled, dog-pad·dling.

1. to swim or keep afloat by use of the dog paddle.

dog paddle

noun

1. another name for doggy paddle

Word History and Origins

Origin of dog paddle¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Origin of dog paddle²

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

“If they had some advanced swimming skills, just a basic dog paddle, they could have survived,” he told The Brooklyn Ink.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• bathe
• crawl
• dive
• float
• glide
• paddle
• submerge
• wade