seadog: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “seadog” mean?
An experienced or old sailor, especially one with many years of service at sea.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An experienced or old sailor, especially one with many years of service at sea.
A slang term for a sailor, especially one who is weather-beaten, tough, and has spent a lifetime at sea; less commonly, a seal (esp. a male grey seal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally understood in both varieties, but slightly more likely to be found in British literary/naval heritage contexts. The zoological meaning for 'seal' is more likely in British English due to regional species names.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with naval history, Nelson's navy, and maritime tradition. US: Associated more with general maritime lore, pirates, and historical fiction.
Frequency
Low frequency in modern speech for both. Occasionally appears in historical novels, films, or as a colorful, respectful term among sailing enthusiasts.
Grammar
How to Use “seadog” in a Sentence
He is/was a [adjective] seadog.The old seadog [verb in past tense] a tale.A seadog of [number] years.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seadog” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He had a seadog-like appearance, with his bushy beard and rolling gait.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare; only in historical or literary studies discussing nautical terminology.
Everyday
Very rare; used for humorous or affectionate reference to someone who loves the sea or has sailed a lot.
Technical
Not used in modern nautical or marine technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seadog”
- Using it to refer to a novice sailor.
- Confusing it with 'seal'.
- Using it in a formal context (e.g., a naval report).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is quite rare in everyday modern English. It is mostly found in historical fiction, nautical literature, or as a colorful, affectionate term.
No, that would be a 'water dog' or a breed like a Newfoundland. 'Seadog' almost exclusively refers to an experienced sailor.
Not at all. It is generally a term of respect and endearment, implying great experience and toughness, though it is informal.
A 'seadog' is a general term for a seasoned sailor. A 'pirate' is specifically a sailor who engages in robbery and violence at sea. Some famous pirates might be called seadogs, but not all seadogs are pirates.
An experienced or old sailor, especially one with many years of service at sea.
Seadog is usually informal, literary, archaic in register.
Seadog: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːdɒɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsiːdɔːɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Salty as an old seadog”
- “He's seen more storms than a seadog.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a dog that loves the sea so much it became a sailor – a loyal, tough, 'sea-dog'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXPERIENCED SAILOR IS A TOUGH, WEATHERED ANIMAL (dog). THE SEA IS A DOMAIN FOR A SPECIFIC BREED.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'seadog' be LEAST appropriate?