doggish

[ daw-gish, dog-ish ]

adjective

1. like a dog; canine:

   doggish affection.

2. surly; mean:

   a doggish temper.

3. stylish and showy.

doggish

/ ˈdɒɡɪʃ /

adjective

1. of or like a dog
2. surly; snappish

Derived Forms

• ˈdoggishly, adverb
• ˈdoggishness, noun

Other Word Forms

• doggish·ly adverb
• doggish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of doggish¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; dog, -ish ¹

Example Sentences

Reward doggish devotion rather than actual qualification.

From Slate

The terms “destroyed nation”, “the hellish peninsula” and “doggish country” followed closely on its tail.

From The Guardian

For me, their complementary approaches of demure, catlike problem-solving and doggish, walnut-knuckled obstinacy are as mind-expanding and revelatory as anything Schreber and Wittgenstein ever wrote.

From New York Times

Check out the iSpeakDog website for more tips on interpreting “Doggish” to English.

From Washington Post

Meanwhile Murphy, the dog, is getting into the act, in a more doggish way.

From Washington Post