poodle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal; the extended meaning is often derogatory.
Quick answer
What does “poodle” mean?
A breed of dog with a curly coat that is often clipped in an elaborate style.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A breed of dog with a curly coat that is often clipped in an elaborate style.
A person who is overly obedient or subservient to another, often used pejoratively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word identically for the dog breed. The figurative sense ('political poodle') is slightly more established in British political discourse.
Connotations
In both varieties, the dog breed connotes elegance, grooming, and sometimes being pampered. The figurative sense carries strong negative connotations of weakness and lack of independence.
Frequency
The literal sense is equally common. The figurative sense is low-frequency but more likely to appear in UK political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “poodle” in a Sentence
[be] a poodle[be] a poodle of [person/organisation][have/get] a poodle[call/label] someone a poodleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “poodle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The barber can poodle my hair for the wedding, but I think I'll keep it natural.
- He's been poodling around the boss all week, hoping for a promotion.
American English
- She poodled her bichon frise for the competition.
adjective
British English
- He has a rather poodle-like devotion to the committee chair.
- The poodle cut was very fashionable in the 1950s.
American English
- Her poodle skirt was the hit of the retro party.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically in critiques of corporate relationships: 'The startup was accused of being a poodle for the tech giant.'
Academic
Very rare outside of specific studies in animal breeding, political science, or cultural studies.
Everyday
Common when discussing pets, dog breeds, or dog shows. The figurative sense is used in everyday political discussion.
Technical
Used in veterinary science and kennel club classifications to specify the breed standard.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “poodle”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “poodle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “poodle”
- Misspelling as 'poodel' or 'pudle'.
- Using the figurative sense without proper context, making the insult unclear.
- Assuming all curly-haired dogs are poodles.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. When referring to the dog breed, it is neutral or positive. It becomes an insult only in its figurative sense, meaning a servile follower.
A wide swing skirt, popular in the 1950s, often decorated with a appliqué of a poodle. It is not made from poodle fur.
Yes, but it is informal and rare. It can mean to groom elaborately (like a poodle) or to act in a servile manner.
Yes, the main varieties recognised by kennel clubs are Standard, Miniature, and Toy, distinguished by size.
A breed of dog with a curly coat that is often clipped in an elaborate style.
Poodle is usually neutral to informal; the extended meaning is often derogatory. in register.
Poodle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpuː.dəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpuː.dəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “political poodle”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a POOl where a DOG is swimming. A POOdle is a dog breed often associated with elegance and water retrieving.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SUBORDINATE IS A DOG (specifically, a poodle).
Practice
Quiz
In a political context, what does calling someone a 'poodle' imply?