barking

A dog is barking at a passing mail carrier.

Definition

Barking is the present participle of the verb bark.

1. Verb (present participle):

   • To make the characteristic short, loud cry of a dog, fox, or seal: The action of emitting a sharp, explosive vocal sound, typically as a warning or greeting.
   • To speak or utter in a sharp, harsh, or commanding tone: Used metaphorically to describe human speech that is abrupt, angry, or authoritative.

2. Noun (rare, but attested in some contexts):

   • The sound made by a bark: The noise itself, especially when repeated or continuous.

Usage Examples

• Verb (present participle):

  • The dog is barking loudly at the mailman. (The dog is making its characteristic cry.)
  • She was barking orders at the new recruits. (She was speaking in a harsh, commanding tone.)
  • Stop barking about the problem and help me fix it. (Stop complaining or shouting angrily.)

• Noun:

  • The barking kept me awake all night. (The continuous sound of the dog's cries.)

Advanced Usage

• "Barking up the wrong tree": To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action.

  • If you think I stole your wallet, you're barking up the wrong tree. (You are accusing the wrong person.)

• "Barking mad": Completely insane or irrational (informal, chiefly British).

  • He's barking mad if he thinks he can finish that project in one day. (He is acting irrationally or is very foolish.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bark (verb, noun): The base form of the word.

  • The dog will bark if it hears a noise. (The verb in its base form.)
  • The bark of the dog was loud. (The noun referring to the sound.)

• Barker (noun): A person who calls out loudly to attract attention, especially at a fair or market.

  • The barker at the carnival tried to lure people into the sideshow. (The person who shouts to attract customers.)

• Barking (adjective, informal): Crazy or mad (used in British slang).

  • That idea is barking! (That idea is insane.)

Synonyms

• Yapping: To bark sharply or shrilly, especially in a repetitive manner (often used for small dogs).

  • The little dog was yapping at the cat. (It was barking in a high-pitched, persistent way.)

• Howling: To make a long, loud, mournful cry, typical of wolves or dogs.

  • The wolf began howling at the moon. (A different type of vocalization, often sustained.)

• Snapping: To speak in a sharp, angry manner (metaphorical).

  • He was snapping at everyone in the office. (He was speaking irritably and abruptly.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Bark out: To say something loudly and abruptly.

  • The sergeant barked out the commands. (He shouted the orders in a sharp, commanding voice.)

• Bark at: To direct a bark or harsh speech toward someone or something.

  • The dog barked at the stranger. (It aimed its bark at the stranger.)
  • Don't bark at me; I didn't do anything wrong. (Don't speak to me harshly.)

Related Idioms

• "His bark is worse than his bite": Someone's harsh or threatening words are not as harmful as they seem.

  • Don't be afraid of the boss; his bark is worse than his bite. (He appears angry but is not actually dangerous.)

• "Bark up the wrong tree": (See Advanced Usage above.)