pug

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈpəg 

1

: any of a breed of small sturdy compact dogs of Asian origin with a smooth, short coat, tightly curled tail, short muzzle, and broad wrinkled face

2

a

: pug nose

b

: a close knot or coil of hair : bun

Illustration of pug

• pug 1

pug

2 of 4

verb

pugged; pugging

transitive verb

: to work and mix (a substance, such as clay) when wet especially to make more homogeneous and easier to handle (as in throwing or molding wares)

pug

3 of 4

noun (2)

: boxer entry 1 sense 1

pug

4 of 4

noun (3)

: pugmark

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• boxer
• fighter
• gladiator
• prizefighter
• pugilist

Examples of pug in a Sentence

Noun (2)

a retired pug with battered ears and swollen knuckles

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Breeds that are particularly baby-like, such as pugs and French bulldogs, can even exhibit the innocence and helplessness of toddlers. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2025

Additionally, some dogs, particularly breeds with extreme infantile traits (such as pugs and French bulldogs), may appear as helpless, harmless, and innocent as small children. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 May 2025

These include basset hounds; beagles; bulldogs; cavalier king Charles spaniels; collies; golden retrievers; Labrador retrievers; papillons; and pugs. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025

Teen escapes 12 years after abduction; school bus driver arrested 8 killed in mass shooting at strip mall in cartel stronghold Former My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar dead at 44 2024 National Dog Show won by Vito the pug. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

obsolete pug hobgoblin, monkey

Verb

origin unknown

Noun (2)

by shortening & alteration from pugilist

Noun (3)

Hindi & Urdu pag foot, step

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1858, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pug

• pug mill
• pug nose

Rhymes for pug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• rug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

pug

noun

ˈpəg

: any of a breed of small sturdy compact dogs having a short coat, tightly curled tail, and broad wrinkled face