dogging: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (for pursuit sense); Very Low but culturally marked (for UK slang sense)Informal for 'pursuit' sense; Very Informal/Vulgar/Slang for the sexual activity sense.
Quick answer
What does “dogging” mean?
The act of persistently following, pursuing, or pestering someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of persistently following, pursuing, or pestering someone; also, a specific UK slang term for engaging in or watching sexual acts in public places.
Can refer to relentless pursuit in contexts like sports (tightly marking an opponent), harassment, or metaphorical chasing of goals. The slang meaning is highly specific to British culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'persistent pursuit' sense is understood in both varieties. The 'public sex act' sense is almost exclusively British slang and is largely unknown or not used in American English.
Connotations
In the UK, the word is now strongly and primarily associated with the sexual slang meaning, making its use for 'pursuit' potentially ambiguous or awkward. In the US, it carries only the 'pursuit/harassment' connotation.
Frequency
In the UK, usage of the neutral 'pursuit' sense has declined due to the dominance of the slang meaning. In the US, the word is rare but unambiguous.
Grammar
How to Use “dogging” in a Sentence
[Subject] is dogging [Object][Subject] has been dogging [Object] for [Time Period]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dogging” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The reporter was dogging the minister's every move, hoping for a comment.
- Rumours of corruption have been dogging the council for months.
American English
- Bad luck seems to be dogging the team this season.
- He felt like failure was dogging him at every turn.
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as an adjective.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe a persistent competitor or problem. 'The supply chain issues kept dogging the project rollout.'
Academic
Very rare in formal writing. Might appear in sociological studies of the UK slang phenomenon.
Everyday
Caution advised in UK. In US, used for persistent minor annoyances. 'This cough has been dogging me for weeks.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dogging”
- Using it in a UK context without being aware of the strong slang meaning.
- Confusing it with 'dodging'.
- Using it in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Dog walking' is the activity. 'Dogging' does not mean this.
It is understandable but somewhat literary or old-fashioned. 'Hounding' or 'plaguing' are more common for the metaphorical sense.
Because its primary, contemporary meaning in the UK is a vulgar slang term for a specific sexual practice in public places. Using it in its original sense will likely cause confusion or unintended humour.
Yes, 'dogging' is the -ing form of the verb 'to dog' (to follow persistently). The slang term originates from this, suggesting 'acting like a dog' or 'tracking'.
The act of persistently following, pursuing, or pestering someone.
Dogging is usually informal for 'pursuit' sense; very informal/vulgar/slang for the sexual activity sense. in register.
Dogging: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒɡɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːɡɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dogging someone's footsteps”
- “A problem that keeps dogging you”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a determined dog relentlessly following a postman – that's 'dogging' in its core sense.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURSUIT IS HUNTING / A PERSISTENT PROBLEM IS A PURSUING ANIMAL
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English does 'dogging' have a well-known, specific slang meaning?