poodle

noun

poo·​dle ˈpü-dᵊl 

1

: any of a breed of intelligent dogs that have a curly dense solid-colored coat and that are grouped into standard, miniature, and toy sizes which are often considered separate breeds compare toy poodle

2

: a fabric with a nubby or coarsely looped surface that resembles a poodle's coat

called also poodle cloth

Examples of poodle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The comedian and her wife had adopted a puppy, a chocolate-brown poodle named Mrs. Wallis Browning. —David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024

The collectable cars, poodle skirts and 1950s’ music that brought a classic atmosphere to Mancini’s on Thursday is just a taste of what is to come this weekend, according to Sohlstrom and J. Marie Fieger, volunteer for MSRA. —Samantha Wurm, Twin Cities, 20 June 2024

The news didn’t quite reach my poodle and two cats that sleep on our bed and reenact Wrestlemania every night. —Wendi Aarons, Flow Space, 13 June 2024

Sage, a miniature poodle, claimed Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night. —Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Pudel, short for Pudelhund, from pudeln to splash + Hund dog

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poodle

• toy poodle

Kids Definition

poodle

noun

poo·​dle ˈpüd-ᵊl 

: any of a breed of active intelligent dogs that have thick curly coats of solid color and that occur in three sizes

Etymology

from German Pudel, a shortened form of Pudelhund "poodle," from pudeln "to splash" and Hund "dog"

Word Origin

Poodles often have their coats cut in different patterns. Both their haircuts and their name go back to a time when poodles were kept not as house pets but as retrievers. Poodles were especially good at retrieving game in the water. The dogs were good swimmers, and they had heavy coats that kept them warm even in icy water. Hunters cut their dogs' hair shorter in a pattern that would make swimming easier. Cutting poodles' hair in a pattern soon became a tradition. The German name for this skillful swimmer was Pudelhund. This word combined pudeln, meaning "to splash," and hund, meaning "dog." It was then shortened to Pudel, which English borrowed as poodle.