dog days: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, Journalistic, Informal
Quick answer
What does “dog days” mean?
The hottest and most sultry period of the summer, roughly from early July to mid-August in the Northern Hemisphere.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The hottest and most sultry period of the summer, roughly from early July to mid-August in the Northern Hemisphere.
A period of stagnation, inactivity, or decline, often metaphorically used for any dull or unproductive time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more literary/common in American media.
Connotations
Identical connotations of oppressive heat, laziness, and slow activity.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; used in similar contexts (weather reports, cultural commentary).
Grammar
How to Use “dog days” in a Sentence
The [N] dog days [V: are/set in/arrive/drag on]We're in the dog days of [N: summer/the season/the year]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog days” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The city dog-days its way through August. (rare, creative)
American English
- We're just dog-daying until the kids go back to school. (informal, rare)
adjective
British English
- The dog-days atmosphere in the office was palpable.
American English
- We're in a real dog-days slump at work.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The market typically slows down during the dog days of August."
Academic
"The study noted a correlation between the dog days and reduced cognitive performance in non-climate-controlled environments."
Everyday
"I can't be bothered to do anything in this dog days heat."
Technical
In meteorology, may be informally referenced but not a formal term; precise definitions use 'heatwave' or specific temperature thresholds.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dog days”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dog days”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog days”
- Using it in singular form (*a dog day).
- Using it for any hot day (it refers to a specific, prolonged period).
- Confusing with 'dog's life' (a miserable existence).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not fixed calendar dates. Traditionally they were associated with the heliacal rising of Sirius (late July), but now the phrase loosely refers to the hottest 4-6 weeks of summer.
Yes, very commonly. It can describe any period of stagnation, low activity, or decline, e.g., 'the dog days of his career'.
No, it is not offensive and has no negative connotation towards dogs. The reference is entirely to the star Sirius in the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog).
Almost exclusively the plural form 'dog days' is used, almost always preceded by 'the'.
The hottest and most sultry period of the summer, roughly from early July to mid-August in the Northern Hemisphere.
Dog days is usually literary, journalistic, informal in register.
Dog days: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡ ˌdeɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡ ˌdeɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The dog days are upon us.”
- “A dog days slump.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a panting dog lying still in the shade during the **hottest days** of summer.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME OF YEAR IS A PHYSICAL STATE (of lethargy/oppression).
Practice
Quiz
What is the origin of the phrase 'dog days'?