Barking
/ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Idiom
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
To make the characteristic loud, short cry of a dog.
/ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
verbneutralBeginner
General
To make a sharp, loud cry, like a dog.
The dogs were barking all night.
💡 Simply: A dog's loud cry.
More Examples
2
He barked orders at his subordinates.
How It's Used
Everyday Life
"The dog was barking furiously at the mailman."
2
To speak abruptly and forcefully, often in a harsh tone.
/ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
verbnegativeIntermediate
General
To speak sharply or angrily.
The manager barked instructions at the employees.
💡 Simply: To shout angrily.
More Examples
2
Don't bark at me!
How It's Used
Figurative Language
"The sergeant barked out the orders."
Tip:Imagine a commanding officer's voice.
Idioms & expressions
bark up the wrong tree
To make a wrong assumption or pursue a mistaken course of action.
"He's barking up the wrong tree if he thinks she'll help him."
From Middle English *barken, from Old English *bearkan, imitative.
The word has maintained its core meaning of a dog's sound throughout history, with the figurative use developing later.
Memory tip
Think of a dog's sharp sound.
Practice
Base: bark
barckingbarkin
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written