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
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As the float sailed through Pasadena, an Elvis Presley tribute artist sang a hip-shaking medley of the King’s greatest songs, as dancers in pompadours and poodle skirts swayed alongside.
—
Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Anyway, featuring Chris Stapleton, begins to play, Hoss, a cross between a poodle and a Bernese mountain dog, immediately reacts and turns to his owner, clearly recognizing the melody.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
De Wolfe posing with a poodle in front of the cabinet Tony Duquette designed for her is a memorable snapshot, as are those of Diana Vreeland, Cecil Beaton, and Elsa Schiaparelli.
—Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2024
As noted above, dogs that have hair as opposed to fur, like poodles, shih tzus, etc., don’t shed; their hair keeps growing and needs regular trims.
—Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
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Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Anyway, featuring Chris Stapleton, begins to play, Hoss, a cross between a poodle and a Bernese mountain dog, immediately reacts and turns to his owner, clearly recognizing the melody.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
De Wolfe posing with a poodle in front of the cabinet Tony Duquette designed for her is a memorable snapshot, as are those of Diana Vreeland, Cecil Beaton, and Elsa Schiaparelli.
—Alia Akkam, Architectural Digest, 28 Oct. 2024
As noted above, dogs that have hair as opposed to fur, like poodles, shih tzus, etc., don’t shed; their hair keeps growing and needs regular trims.
—Lisa Bloch, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poodle
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Dictionary Entries Near poodle
Cite this Entry
“Poodle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poodle. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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.
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