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Definition of doghouse

doghouse

/ˈdɔːɡ.haʊs/
dog · house
Plural:doghouses
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doghouse Lexical Profile

doghouse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A state of disgrace, trouble, or disfavor, especially resulting from a mistake or offense.

Example

"He completely forgot their anniversary and knew he would be in the doghouse for the rest of the week."

2

A small shelter built for a dog, typically resembling a miniature house with a pitched roof.

Example

"During the thunderstorm, the frightened spaniel refused to leave the safety of its doghouse."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

While primarily a concrete noun for an animal shelter, it is highly frequent in the idiom 'in the doghouse,' which describes a person (often a romantic partner) who is temporarily in disgrace or disfavor.

• Nearby Words

dog tooth violet
dogfish
dogfox
doghouse
dogwood
doha
doll

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'dog' and 'house', dating back to the early 1600s. The figurative phrase 'in the doghouse' originated in early 20th-century American English.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doghouse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doghouse
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