foo dog

noun

ˈfü- 

variants or fu dog

often capitalized F

: a mythical lion-dog used as a decorative motif in Far Eastern art

Examples of foo dog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At a machine flanked by foo dogs, with graphics of phoenixes rising triumphant, yin yangs, golden frogs, and flying coins, my luck turned. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Mar. 2023

McCain’s jewelry and some of the decorative pieces, including four foo dog silver boxes for $500. —Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2021

The flying lions that serve as handles are also called foo dogs and represent guardian lions, figures that originated in China. —oregonlive, 3 Apr. 2020

The finishing touch: a giant ceramic foo dog, because sometimes fun is function enough! —Eddie Ross, House Beautiful, 23 May 2019

Two enormous leonine foo dogs face each other across a bench on a terrace. —Beth Dunlop, ELLE Decor, 8 Feb. 2010

Mooncakes are traditionally given most auspiciously during Mid-Autumn Festival but can be found in some Chinese bakeries year-round; and the foo dogs are actually mythical guardian lions. —Louisa Chu, chicagotribune.com, 24 Jan. 2018

The Fortune Cookies Against Humanity are $18.88 each, and a foo dogs box with two cakes is $8.88. —Louisa Chu, chicagotribune.com, 24 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) fó Buddha; from the use of such figures in ceramic or stone as guardians of Buddhist temples

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foo dog

• agog
• backlog
• bulldog
• bullfrog
• eclogue
• eggnog
• groundhog
• hedgehog
• leapfrog
• prolog
• sheepdog
• watchdog