puppy
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.a young dog, usually less than a year old.
n.a juvenile domestic dog, specifically one that has not yet reached sexual maturity.
Simple“The children were excited to play with the new puppy in the garden.”
In context“The shelter requires all families adopting a puppy to attend mandatory training sessions to ensure the animal is properly socialised during its first year.”
SynonymspupwhelpAntonymsadult dog - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the young of certain other animals, such as seals or rats.
n.the offspring of certain mammals, most notably seals, sea lions, and rats.
Simple“We watched a mother seal feeding her puppy on the rocks.”
In context“Marine biologists observed the seal puppy as it made its first tentative attempts to swim in the shallow coastal waters.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a thing or a task, especially one that is difficult or impressive.
n.a colloquial reference to an object, person, or undertaking, often used to emphasise its size, difficulty, or significance.
Simple“This math problem is a tough puppy to solve.”
In context“Once we get this puppy started, the entire production line should run autonomously for the rest of the afternoon.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a slang word for a woman's breasts.
n.a slang term referring to mammary glands; almost exclusively used in the plural.
Simple“He made a rude comment about her puppies and she walked away.”
In context“The dialogue in the film was criticised for its reliance on dated slang and crude references to 'puppies' when discussing female characters.”
Synonyms - 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to give birth to young dogs.
v.to bring forth whelps; the act of a female dog giving birth.
Simple“The breeder expected the dog to puppy sometime in late March.”
In context“The prize-winning spaniel is expected to puppy next week, and the veterinary staff has been placed on standby for any complications.”
UsageThe verb is typically used in the context of professional dog breeding.
Synonymswhelpgive birth
From earlier puppie (“a woman's pet dog”), of uncertain origin, but probably from Middle English puppee, poupee, from Old French poupée, popée (“a doll; puppet”). More at puppet. Mostly displaced native Middle English whelp (“puppy”), from Old English hwelp, whence Modern English whelp and whelpie.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.