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

Rodney the puppy is an Irish doodle — a mix between an Irish setter and poodle — and lives in Brighton, England, with his owner Katy. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Bobby played with the resident poodles, Toby and Charlie, every morning and somehow overcame his fear of dogs. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Nov. 2024

The 475 pieces included allow kids and adults to enjoy putting together a poodle, beagle, and Labrador retriever. Apple AirPods with Charging Case (2nd Generation) Don’t struggle with wireless headphones that won’t hold a charge. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 30 Nov. 2024

There are seven dogs to choose from for this one: hound, poodle, frenchie, corgie, dachsund, retriever, and doodle. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 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.