labrador
C2Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A breed of medium-to-large-sized retriever dog with a short, dense, water-resistant coat, originally from Newfoundland, Canada.
Can refer to the geographical region of Labrador in Canada, or, less formally, to anything from or associated with that region (e.g., labrador tea). Primarily and overwhelmingly used to refer to the dog breed.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always capitalized when referring to the dog breed or the region. In everyday speech, the noun is almost exclusively used to denote the dog. When used attributively (e.g., 'labrador retriever'), it functions as a proper adjective.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term for the dog breed is identical and dominant in both varieties.
Connotations
Universally connotes a friendly, family-oriented, active, and trainable dog. The regional term 'Labrador' may be slightly more geographically salient in Canadian English.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties due to the breed's popularity. Slight potential for the Canadian region to be more mentioned in North American media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/own a + labradorthe + adjective + labrador + verblabrador + of + colour (e.g., labrador of a golden hue)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in pet industry marketing or breeding kennel names.
Academic
Rare. May appear in veterinary science, animal behaviour studies, or Canadian geography.
Everyday
Very common in conversations about pets, families, and animals.
Technical
Used in kennel club standards, veterinary contexts, and dog breeding.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- We're looking for a good Labrador breeder.
- She has a classic Labrador temperament.
American English
- The Labrador retriever is America's most popular dog.
- That's a very Labrador-like thing to do—chase a stick into the lake!
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a black labrador.
- The labrador is a big dog.
- Their friendly labrador loves playing fetch in the garden.
- We are thinking of getting a labrador puppy.
- Having trained as a gun dog, the labrador retrieved the duck effortlessly from the icy water.
- The geography of Labrador, in eastern Canada, is characterised by a subarctic climate.
- The labrador's innate retrieving instinct and soft mouth make it an unparalleled assistance dog for the disabled.
- The treaty delineated the boundary between Quebec and the coastal region of Labrador.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LAB worker who RADiates joy when he brings his ORange ball back – that's a LABRADOR.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOYALTY IS A LABRADOR (e.g., 'He's as loyal as a Labrador').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'лабрадор' when referring to the Canadian region in a geographical text; use 'Лабрадор' (proper noun). The dog breed is also 'лабрадор'.
- Do not confuse with 'ретривер' which is a broader category; a Labrador is a specific type of retriever.
Common Mistakes
- Using lowercase 'l' for the breed name (should be capitalized).
- Misspelling as 'labador' or 'labradore'.
- Using 'Labrador' as a common verb or adjective beyond its attributive use.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'Labrador' typically NOT capitalised in formal writing?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference. 'Labrador' is the common short form for the full breed name 'Labrador Retriever'.
No, 'labrador' is exclusively a noun (for the dog or region) or an attributive adjective (as in 'labrador breeder'). It is not used as a verb.
Because it is a proper noun derived from the place name 'Labrador' in Canada, where the breed originated. Breed names based on geographical origins are typically capitalised.
Yes, primarily distinguished by colour: Black, Yellow, and Chocolate. Some also distinguish between 'show' (English) and 'working' (American) lines, which have slight build and temperament differences.