dog's-tooth check: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Specialist/Fashion
Quick answer
What does “dog's-tooth check” mean?
A fabric pattern consisting of broken or jagged checks, resembling the shape of a canine tooth, often in contrasting colours like black and white.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fabric pattern consisting of broken or jagged checks, resembling the shape of a canine tooth, often in contrasting colours like black and white.
A distinctive textile pattern traditionally used in suiting and outerwear, associated with classic British country style.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: More common term, closely associated with traditional country attire. US: 'Houndstooth' is the overwhelmingly preferred term; 'dog's-tooth check' is rare and may sound affected or British.
Connotations
UK: Connotes heritage, tailoring, and classic style (e.g., a Barbour jacket). US: If used, it carries a strong British or antiquarian connotation.
Frequency
In UK fashion/ tailoring contexts, frequency is moderate. In general US English, frequency is very low.
Grammar
How to Use “dog's-tooth check” in a Sentence
[fabric/garment] in dog's-tooth checka dog's-tooth check [noun]made from dog's-tooth checkVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dog's-tooth check” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He wore a very fine dog's-tooth check suit to the wedding.
American English
- She preferred the dog's-tooth check pattern, though most here call it houndstooth.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in retail, fashion buying, and textile manufacturing descriptions.
Academic
Used in studies of textile history, fashion design, or semiotics of clothing.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, fabric choice, or classic style.
Technical
A specific weave/pattern structure in textile design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dog's-tooth check”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dog's-tooth check”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dog's-tooth check”
- Writing 'dog-tooth check' without the possessive 's'. Confusing it with 'herringbone' or 'tartan'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they describe the same classic broken check pattern. 'Houndstooth' is the more common international term, while 'dog's-tooth check' is traditionally British.
Yes, it is most commonly used attributively (before a noun), e.g., 'a dog's-tooth check scarf'.
The name originates from the resemblance of the abstract, jagged shape of the check to the profile of a canine tooth.
It is a neutral, descriptive term within its specialist domain (fashion/textiles). It is not slang but is not typically used in very formal legal or scientific contexts.
A fabric pattern consisting of broken or jagged checks, resembling the shape of a canine tooth, often in contrasting colours like black and white.
Dog's-tooth check: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡz tuːθ ˌtʃek/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːɡz tuːθ ˌtʃek/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated with the pattern.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dog's sharp, pointed tooth. The pattern looks like small, jagged tooth shapes arranged in a check.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATTERN IS ANIMAL (specifically, a part of an animal - the tooth).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the term 'dog's-tooth check' most commonly used and recognised?