Definition

1. Noun:
   • A breed of dog: A poodle is a type of intelligent dog known for its heavy, curly, solid-colored coat, which is often clipped into distinctive styles. It is an old breed historically used in various roles, including as sporting or performing dogs.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She owns a standard poodle that is very well-trained.
  • The poodle won first prize in the dog show for its elegant grooming.
  • Poodles are often considered hypoallergenic because they shed very little.

Advanced Usage

• "In the poodle": A rare, informal phrase sometimes used in specific contexts (e.g., fashion or grooming) to describe something resembling the stylized look of a poodle's coat.
  • The decor featured fabrics with a "in the poodle" texture, full of tight curls.

Variants and Related Words

• Poodle clip (noun phrase): A specific, elaborate style of grooming a poodle's coat.
  • The poodle's elaborate poodle clip took hours at the groomer.
• Toy poodle, Miniature poodle, Standard poodle (noun phrases): The recognized size varieties of the breed.
  • A toy poodle is small enough to fit comfortably in a lap.

Synonyms

• Caniche: The French name for the breed, often used in English in specific contexts.
• Curly-coated retriever: While a different breed, this term is sometimes used loosely due to the similar coat, but it is not a true synonym.

Related Phrases

• "Poodle-faker" (noun, historical/informal): An archaic term for a man who cultivates the company of women for personal advantage.
  • In the early 20th century, he was dismissed by his peers as a mere poodle-faker.

Related Idioms

• "To poodle around" (verb phrase, informal/rare): To move or act in a fussy, frivolous, or overly delicate manner.
  • Stop poodling around and get to the point.

Noun

1. an intelligent dog with a heavy curly solid-colored coat that is usually clipped; an old breed sometimes trained as sporting dogs or as performing dogs