dhole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “dhole” mean?
A wild, reddish-brown, pack-hunting dog native to Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wild, reddish-brown, pack-hunting dog native to Asia.
A member of a wild canid species (*Cuon alpinus*) found in forests and grasslands of South and Southeast Asia, known for its cooperative hunting behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Connotes expertise in wildlife biology or exotic fauna. It is a specialist term in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to zoological texts, wildlife documentaries, and some crossword puzzles.
Grammar
How to Use “dhole” in a Sentence
The [adjective] dhole [verb]...A pack of dholes [verb]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dhole” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This species does not verb.
American English
- This species does not verb.
adverb
British English
- This species does not adverb.
American English
- This species does not adverb.
adjective
British English
- This species does not commonly adjective.
American English
- This species does not commonly adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biological, zoological, and conservation science texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary register; used in wildlife biology, ecology, and veterinary contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dhole”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dhole”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dhole”
- Mispronunciation as 'dole' or 'dool'. Confusing it with a hyena or a jackal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a distinct species (*Cuon alpinus*) more closely related to jackals and African wild dogs than to true wolves.
Extremely rare. Dholes are shy and avoid humans. There are no verified records of unprovoked attacks on people.
Habitat loss, depletion of their prey base, and diseases transmitted from domestic dogs are the primary threats.
They hunt cooperatively in packs, using stamina and teamwork to chase down prey much larger than themselves, like deer.
A wild, reddish-brown, pack-hunting dog native to Asia.
Dhole is usually technical / scientific in register.
Dhole: in British English it is pronounced /dəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /doʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Dholes dwell in deep forests and hunt in packs." (Uses alliteration and the key 'd' sound.)
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable; the term is a literal zoological label.
Practice
Quiz
What is a dhole?