puppy

[ puhp-ee ]

noun

, plural pup·pies.

1. a young dog, especially one less than a year old.
2. Fox Hunting. a foxhound that has hunted regularly for less than one season.
3. pup ( def 2 ).
4. a presuming, conceited, or empty-headed young man.

puppy

/ ˈpʌpɪ /

noun

1. a young dog; pup
2. informal.
   a brash or conceited young man; pup

Derived Forms

• ˈpuppyˌhood, noun
• ˈpuppyish, adjective

Other Words From

• puppy·hood puppy·dom noun
• puppy·ish adjective
• puppy·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of puppy¹

First recorded in 1480–90; earlier popi; puppet, -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of puppy¹

C15 popi, from Old French popée doll; compare puppet

Example Sentences

An 8-week-old puppy is roughly equal to a 9-month-old baby, but a year-old dog is closer to a 31-year-old human.

From Science News For Students

Going a little deeper, if your dog is stronger than you, or if you’re training a puppy, consider a front-clip or no-pull harness.

From Popular-Science

A one-year-old dog is adult enough to have puppies of its own.

From Science News For Students

Agree on a subject, like puppies or your favorite book characters and everyone can begin.

From Ozy

From the beginning, as he recorded the introduced wolves’ pairings, puppies and the rise and fall of packs, he wished Yellowstone visitors and other passionate wolf fans also could follow the story lines.

From Science News

Yeah, the “Giant man-puppy” that is Gronkowski won't hold a sexual candle to the blue-eyed dreamboat.

From The Daily Beast

Who went to a school where she was allowed to take her puppy to gym class, and her best friend played the didgeridoo.

From The Daily Beast

The plums came off the trees hot from the sun, and I had a cocker spaniel puppy that followed me everywhere I went.

From The Daily Beast

I carried the puppy up the hill, stumbling under the weight.

From The Daily Beast

A neighbor woman came out from behind her screen door and told me to leave the puppy out in the street.

From The Daily Beast

Mr. Norwood was at home, and Jessie flew at him a good deal like an eager Newfoundland puppy.

From Project Gutenberg

I was flattering myself that the puppy was choosing my company to the hunt, for I always value the approval of a dog.

From Project Gutenberg

One of them, a mere puppy, with a beard of English cut and a gold chain, had been at Rio—and twice!

From Project Gutenberg

If I live through this breach of habit, I shall be a white-livered puppy indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

When Tiney first saw Leo, he was only a puppy, and I suppose was frightened at the sight of so large a dog.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dog
• pup
• whelp