Definition

Noun: 1. A type of dog bred for hunting, typically characterized by a keen sense of smell or sight, and often having large, drooping ears: The term refers to a dog belonging to any of various breeds originally developed to pursue game by scent (scent hounds) or by sight (sighthounds). The defining physical characteristic often mentioned is large, drooping ears.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hound dog picked up the scent of the rabbit and began to bay.
  • She adopted a rescued hound dog from the shelter.
  • His favorite type of dog is a hound dog like a Bloodhound or a Basset Hound.

Advanced Usage

• Informal/Colloquial Use: In informal American English, particularly in Southern dialects or blues/rock and roll music, "hound dog" can be used as a mild, sometimes affectionate insult for a person, implying they are lazy, untrustworthy in love, or persistently bothersome.
  • Example: "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog," as sung by Elvis Presley, accuses someone of being unfaithful or no good.

Variants and Related Words

• Hound (noun): A shorter, more common form meaning the same as "hound dog." It can also be used as a verb meaning to pursue relentlessly.
  • Example (noun): The hounds were released for the hunt.
  • Example (verb): The reporter was hounded by the press.
• Scent hound (noun): A type of hound dog that hunts primarily by scent (e.g., Beagle, Coonhound).
• Sighthound (noun): A type of hound dog that hunts primarily by sight and speed (e.g., Greyhound, Whippet). These often have less prominent drooping ears.

Synonyms

• Hunting dog: A more general term for dogs used in hunting.
• Canine (formal/technical): A biological term for animals of the dog family.

Related Idioms

• To hound someone: To harass or pursue someone relentlessly.
  • Example: Debt collectors hounded him for months.
• Like a hound dog on a scent: Behaving with intense, single-minded focus on tracking something down.
  • Example: The detective was on the case like a hound dog on a scent.

Noun

1. any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears