# Doug

/ˈdəɡ/ (US) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/doug
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a common short name for a man, usually coming from the name Douglas. It is a friendly, casual name used in many English-speaking countries.

For teachers: a masculine given name, typically serving as a diminutive or hypocoristic form of Douglas. Proper noun; almost exclusively used as a personal name.

## Examples

- My friend Doug lives in London.
- Doug is the manager of the local grocery store and knows everyone in the neighborhood by name.
- While his legal documents all list him as Douglas, he has been known as Doug to his colleagues and family since childhood.

## Usage notes

- As a proper noun, it is capitalized and typically used without an article unless referring to a specific person among others of the same name.

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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.