great dog: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Occasionally Literary
Quick answer
What does “great dog” mean?
A dog of large size or imposing stature. It can be a literal descriptor for a physically large dog, or a loose, informal term for a powerful or impressive dog.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dog of large size or imposing stature. It can be a literal descriptor for a physically large dog, or a loose, informal term for a powerful or impressive dog.
Informally, it can describe a dog that is exceptionally good, loyal, or impressive in character, beyond just its physical size (e.g., 'He's a great dog'). In some historical or poetic contexts, it might be used for specific large breeds or as a compound similar to 'wolfhound'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The adjective 'great' is used slightly more frequently in American English for enthusiastic approval ('That's great!'), which may subtly influence the frequency of the evaluative sense.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is positive (large/impressive or wonderful).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects. More common as two separate words in a sentence than as a fixed phrase.
Grammar
How to Use “great dog” in a Sentence
[Det] great dog[Possessive] great doga great dog for [activity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “great dog” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dog did great at the agility show.
- (Note: 'great' as adverb is informal)
American English
- Your dog really greets people great!
- (Note: 'great' as adverb is informal)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in historical texts or breed descriptions.
Everyday
Used in casual conversation to describe a large or very good dog.
Technical
Not a technical term in veterinary science; breed names or size categories (e.g., 'giant breed') are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great dog”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “great dog”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great dog”
- Hyphenating it as 'great-dog' (incorrect, not a compound noun).
- Confusing it with the breed name 'Great Dane'.
- Using it in formal writing where 'large breed dog' would be more precise.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a recognized breed name. It is a descriptive phrase. You might be thinking of the 'Great Dane'.
No. While 'the great' can be a euphemism for the deceased (e.g., 'the great composer'), this usage does not extend to the phrase 'great dog'.
'Big dog' is purely descriptive of size. 'Great dog' can describe size (similar to 'big dog') but more commonly in modern speech conveys a positive evaluation of the dog's character or qualities.
Use it as you would any adjective-noun pair. For example: 'You've got a great dog there!' (meaning wonderful) or 'We saw a great dog guarding the farm.' (meaning large/impressive). Context makes the meaning clear.
A dog of large size or imposing stature. It can be a literal descriptor for a physically large dog, or a loose, informal term for a powerful or impressive dog.
Great dog is usually informal, occasionally literary in register.
Great dog: in British English it is pronounced /ɡreɪt dɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡreɪt dɔːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a fixed idiom. The phrase is compositional.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the famous animated duo 'Scooby-Doo' - he's a GREAT (wonderful) Dane (a type of very large DOG).
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD IS BIG (e.g., 'a great idea', 'a great success'). When 'great' means 'wonderful', this metaphor applies. When 'great' means 'large', it is literal.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He's just a great dog, isn't he?', what is the most likely meaning of 'great'?