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“The puppy wagged its tail excitedly when it saw its owner.”
A young dog showed happiness by moving its tail rapidly.
A young domestic dog, typically under one year old.
We adopted a playful puppy from the animal shelter.
We took home a young dog that was energetic and fun.
The puppy chewed on its toy for hours.
The young dog spent a long time gnawing its plaything.
Often used affectionately. Can refer to dogs of any breed.
'Puppy' typically refers to dogs under one year, while 'pup' can sometimes refer to older dogs or seals. For dogs, 'puppy' is more specific.
Reserve 'puppy' for dogs that are clearly young (under 12 months). For older dogs, use terms like 'adult dog' or specify the breed.
From Middle English 'puppie', a diminutive form of 'pup', which is of unknown origin but likely imitative of a puppy's yelping sounds.
Commonly used to describe dogs under one year old. Avoid using for older dogs unless in a humorous or affectionate context.