hound
B2Formal/Informal. The noun is formal or literary; the verb is informal, often with negative connotations.
Definition
Meaning
A dog, especially one used for hunting by scent or sight.
To pursue relentlessly or harass; a person who is very enthusiastic about a particular thing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Noun: In modern usage, often refers to specific breeds (e.g., bloodhound, foxhound) or dogs used for hunting. It can be archaic or poetic for 'dog' in general. The extended noun sense 'enthusiast' is informal (e.g., autograph hound). Verb: Implies persistent, annoying, or harassing pursuit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'hound' as a hunting dog and as a verb. The UK may have stronger associations with fox hunting and specific breeds like the 'foxhound'. The US uses 'hound' more broadly for scent-hound breeds and informally for the verb.
Connotations
UK: Strong historical/literary connotations (e.g., 'the hounds of the Baskervilles'). US: Slightly more colloquial for the verb, common in media/journalism contexts ('hound by reporters').
Frequency
The noun is less frequent than 'dog' in everyday speech in both. The verb is moderately frequent, especially in news/media contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hound + object (person/organisation)hound + object + into + -ing / noun phrasehound + object + out of + noun phrasebe hounded + by + agentVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ride to hounds (UK)”
- “hold with the hare and run with the hounds (UK)”
- “run with the hounds”
- “like a hound on the scent”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal/negative: 'The shareholders hounded the CEO until she resigned.'
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or historical contexts (e.g., hounds in medieval hunting).
Everyday
Common for specific dog breeds. Verb used for persistent nagging or media attention.
Technical
Used in dog breeding, hunting, and kennel club classifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The press hounded the minister over the expenses scandal.
- He was hounded out of his job by relentless rumours.
American English
- Reporters hounded the celebrity for a comment.
- She felt hounded by debt collectors.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has a big, friendly hound.
- The hound barked loudly.
- The bloodhound is famous for its sense of smell.
- She was hounded by questions after her speech.
- The pack of hounds chased the fox across the field.
- The investigator was hounded by the media throughout the trial.
- A fiscal hawk and deficit hound, she scrutinised every budget line.
- He was ultimately hounded from public life by the unsubstantiated allegations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HOUND with its nose to the ground, HOUNDing its prey. The word sounds like 'ground', where it hunts.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE PURSUING AGGRESSIVELY ARE HOUNDS (e.g., paparazzi are hounds). PERSISTENT TROUBLE IS A HOUNDING ANIMAL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'гончая' (specifically a hunting hound) when translating generic 'dog' ('собака'). The verb 'to hound' is closer to 'преследовать', 'травить', 'донимать' than to generic 'следовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hound' as a generic term for any dog (archaic/poetic, sounds odd in modern speech). Confusing 'hound' (pursue) with 'haunt' (ghostly presence).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hound' used correctly as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not in modern usage. While it can poetically mean any dog, it usually refers to specific types (hunting dogs) or is used metaphorically ('autograph hound'). Using it for a pet poodle would sound odd.
Overwhelmingly negative. It means to harass, pester, or persecute someone relentlessly. It implies the pursuit is unwelcome and stressful.
'Chase' is neutral and describes the act of pursuing. 'Hound' adds a layer of persistence over time, often with the intent to harass, pressure, or force someone into something.
Breeds with 'hound' in their name (e.g., Greyhound, Beagle) were traditionally bred and used for hunting, either by sight ('sighthounds') or scent ('scent hounds').