Canine

/ˈkeɪnaɪn/

nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A dog or other member of the dog family.

/ˈkeɪnaɪn/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A dog; a member of the Canidae family.

The canine barked loudly.

💡 Simply: A dog.

More Examples

2

She adopted a rescue canine.

How It's Used

Veterinary

"The veterinarian examined the canine's injured leg."

General

"My neighbor has a friendly canine."

2

Of or relating to dogs or canids.

/ˈkeɪnaɪn/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Relating to dogs or the canine family.

Canine teeth are sharp.

💡 Simply: Dog-like.

More Examples

2

She has a canine companion.

How It's Used

Biology

"Canine teeth are adapted for tearing flesh."

Tip:Relates to the word 'canis,' meaning dog in Latin.

From Latin *canis "dog".

The word 'canine' has been used in English since the 14th century, primarily in a biological context.

Memory tip

Think of 'canine' as relating to 'canis,' the Latin word for dog.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"dog"

Base: canine
canine teethcanine influenzacanine companion

Common misspellings

canninecanin

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written