shaggy-dog story

noun

old-fashioned
: a long story or joke with an ending that is disappointing or that makes no sense

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Shaggy-dog story.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaggy-dog%20story. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!