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Definition of mastiff
mastiff
/ˈmæs.tɪf/
mas · tiff
Plural:mastiffs
mastiff Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
mastiff Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A large, powerful breed of dog characterized by a massive head, short coat, and strong build, traditionally bred and used as a guard dog.
Example
"The ancient estate was guarded by an imposing mastiff that patrolled the grounds with steady vigilance."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for mastiff• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'mastif', derived from Old French 'mastin', which traces back to Vulgar Latin 'mansuetinus' (tamed, domesticated), from Latin 'mansuetus' (tame).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mastiff. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mastiff