a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
"the dog barked all night"
a smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
"He enjoyed his lunch, which consisted of a hot dog and mustard."
Initialism of digital on-screen graphic.
"The golden retriever is a dog whose varied coat colors and sizes result from centuries of selective breeding by humans."
A mammal, Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris, that has been domesticated for thousands of years, of highly variable appearance due to human breeding.
In plain English: A dog is a loyal animal that people keep as pets and often take for walks outside.
"My dog loves to chase balls in the park every afternoon."
Usage: Use "dog" as a noun to refer to the common domesticated mammal known for its loyalty and varied appearances. As a verb, it specifically means to chase or pursue someone or something in order to catch them.
go after with the intent to catch
"The policeman chased the mugger down the alley"
"the dog chased the rabbit"
To pursue with the intent to catch.
"The hunter decided to dog the rabbit until it was trapped in the net."
In plain English: To dog someone means to follow them closely and annoyingly, usually because you want something from them or are trying to catch up with them.
"The dog barked loudly when the mail carrier arrived at our door."
A nickname for a person, especially a tough man
"The old gang members would call their leader Dog because he was so tough and fearless."
The word dog comes from Old English, where it originally referred to common dogs rather than well-bred ones. Its exact origins remain uncertain, though it may have been formed by adding a diminutive suffix to an unknown base word.