# bloodhound

/ˈbɫədhaʊnd/ (US) · /blˈʌdhaʊnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bloodhound
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the dog breed

noun · CEFR B2

a large dog with long ears and a very strong sense of smell, used for finding people who are lost.

For teachers: a large scenthound breed characterized by long, drooping ears and an exceptional ability to follow aged scent trails over long distances.

- The police used a bloodhound to find the child who had wandered into the woods.
- The search party relied on the bloodhound's keen sense of smell to track the missing hiker through the dense underbrush.

### 2. a skilled investigator

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person, such as a detective, who is very good at finding clues or hidden information.

For teachers: a person who is adept at tracking down information, evidence, or individuals through persistent investigation.

- The journalist was a real bloodhound when it came to finding secret government documents.
- The lead investigator was a natural bloodhound, uncovering financial discrepancies that three previous auditors had completely overlooked.

### 3. to track or pursue

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to follow or hunt someone down in a determined way.

For teachers: to pursue or track someone relentlessly, as if using a scent.

- Reporters bloodhounded the celebrity until she finally agreed to an interview.
- The tax authorities bloodhounded the suspect across three different jurisdictions until they finally secured enough evidence for an arrest.

Usage: Usually takes a direct object.

## Examples

- The police used a bloodhound to find the missing hiker.
- The journalist acted as a bloodhound, following every lead until he finally uncovered the truth about the company.
- While the literal bloodhound is valued for its olfactory prowess, the metaphorical sense describes an investigator who refuses to let a trail go cold, no matter how long the search takes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.