pup
pup Lexical Profile
pup Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A young dog, wolf, fox, or other member of the canine family; a puppy.
"The golden retriever pup eagerly chased the tennis ball across the backyard."
The young of various non-canine animals, including seals, sea lions, walruses, bats, rats, and sharks.
"Researchers observed dozens of harbor seal pups resting on the rocky shoreline."
An arrogant, impudent, or inexperienced young man.
"The veteran craftsman had little patience for the insolent young pup who questioned his methods."
• verb
To give birth to pups (used of a female dog, seal, shark, or similar animal).
"Female gray seals return to the same coastal beaches each autumn to pup."
• Rhymes for pup
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 16th century as a shortened form of 'puppy', which itself derives from Middle French 'popee' (doll or plaything), ultimately tracing back to Latin 'pupa' (girl or doll).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.