bloodhound: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral, can be informal when used figuratively
Quick answer
What does “bloodhound” mean?
A large breed of dog with a very strong sense of smell, historically used for tracking people or animals by scent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large breed of dog with a very strong sense of smell, historically used for tracking people or animals by scent.
A person, especially a detective or investigator, who pursues something with great persistence and tenacity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the literal and figurative meanings identically. The breed name is standard.
Connotations
Figurative use is slightly more common in American English, particularly in detective/crime genres.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, slightly higher in US due to media.
Grammar
How to Use “bloodhound” in a Sentence
[detective/authority] + [be/like/work as] + a bloodhound[bloodhound] + [track/find/sniff out] + [person/evidence]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bloodhound” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The journalist managed to bloodhound the source of the leak through old archives.
- He bloodhounded his way through the paperwork until he found the error.
American English
- The reporter bloodhounded the story for months.
- She bloodhounded every lead until the case was solved.
adverb
British English
- He searched bloodhoundly through the database for any mention of the name.
American English
- The lawyer pursued the truth bloodhoundly, leaving no stone unturned.
adjective
British English
- He has a bloodhound-like determination when researching family history.
- She applied bloodhound scrutiny to the contract's fine print.
American English
- His bloodhound instincts led him straight to the evidence.
- She's known for her bloodhound focus on details.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Can metaphorically describe a competitive analyst or auditor who finds discrepancies.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or zoological contexts.
Everyday
Used for the dog breed. Figurative use understood but not common.
Technical
Used in law enforcement and search & rescue contexts for the specific breed.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bloodhound”
- Misspelling as two words: 'blood hound'.
- Using it to mean a violent dog.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Despite their serious appearance, bloodhounds are typically gentle, patient, and good-natured dogs. Their 'dangerous' reputation in stories is a myth.
The 'blood' refers not to violence but to 'blooded' or pure breeding, meaning of aristocratic or pure stock. They were the hounds of the nobility.
Yes, informally. To 'bloodhound' means to pursue or investigate something with dogged determination (e.g., 'She bloodhounded the truth').
The bloodhound is singularly bred for its tracking ability via scent (scent hound). Its sense of smell is among the most acute of any dog, and its evidence can be admissible in court.
A large breed of dog with a very strong sense of smell, historically used for tracking people or animals by scent.
Bloodhound is usually neutral, can be informal when used figuratively in register.
Bloodhound: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌdhaʊnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌdˌhaʊnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have a nose like a bloodhound”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A hound that follows a BLOOD trail with its nose to the GROUND.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSISTENT PERSON IS A TRACKING DOG (focus on tenacity and sensory skill).
Practice
Quiz
In its figurative sense, a 'bloodhound' primarily suggests what quality?