Definition

Adjective: - Having ears that hang down loosely or droop, rather than standing erect. This term is primarily used to describe certain breeds of animals, especially dogs and rabbits.

Usage

The adjective "lop-eared" is used attributively (before a noun) to describe an animal's physical characteristic. It is a compound adjective formed from the verb "lop" (meaning to hang down limply) and "eared."

Examples

• The children were delighted by the lop-eared rabbit at the petting zoo.
• He owns a lop-eared beagle that is very friendly and calm.
• Lop-eared goats are common in that region.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used figuratively to describe something that has a similar drooping or floppy appearance, though this is less common.
  • The old, lop-eared curtains gave the room a tired look.

Variants and Related Words

• Lop (verb): To cut off branches, twigs, etc., from a tree or plant. In the context of "lop-eared," the sense relates to an older meaning of "lop" as "to hang down limply."
• Flop-eared (adjective): A near-synonym, though less common, also describing drooping ears.

Synonyms

• Droopy-eared
• Floppy-eared
• Pendulous-eared

Antonyms

• Prick-eared
• Erect-eared
• Alert-eared

Adjective

1. having bent or drooping ears
   • a lop-eared hound