terrier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal (for the dog breed), Informal/Colloquial (for the metaphorical meaning and army usage).
Quick answer
What does “terrier” mean?
A small, energetic breed of dog originally bred for hunting vermin or burrowing animals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, energetic breed of dog originally bred for hunting vermin or burrowing animals.
1. A member of the Territorial Army (British Army Reserve), historically known as the 'Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve' (TAVR), colloquially called 'the Terriers'. 2. (Figuratively) A persistent, tenacious, or aggressive person, resembling the dog's temperament. 3. (Historical) A register of land ownership in medieval England.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The extended meaning referring to the Territorial Army is exclusively British. The metaphorical meaning ('tenacious person') is understood but less common in AmE. The dog breed meaning is primary and identical in both varieties.
Connotations
In BrE, 'Terrier' can evoke local, part-time military service (positive, community-oriented). In both varieties, for the dog: energetic, feisty, loyal; metaphorically: annoyingly persistent.
Frequency
The dog breed sense is moderately frequent in both. The military sense has moderate frequency in UK contexts. The metaphorical sense is low frequency in general but occurs in literary/journalistic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “terrier” in a Sentence
[adj] + terrierterrier + [verb: barks, digs, chases]terrier + of + [type: Yorkshire, bull]a terrier for/of [figurative: persistence, detail]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “terrier” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (but note 'terrier-like')
American English
- N/A (but note 'terrier-like')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; metaphorical: 'He has a terrier-like approach to contract details.'
Academic
Rare; historical/legal: 'The terrier listed all customary tenants of the manor.'
Everyday
Common: referring to the dog breed or describing a persistent person.
Technical
Cynology (study of dogs): classification of breeds by function (terrier group).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “terrier”
- Misspelling: 'terrior', 'terrier'. Using 'terrier' to mean any small dog (not all small dogs are terriers). Overusing the metaphorical sense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a group or type comprising many specific breeds (e.g., Yorkshire, Scottish, Fox Terrier) sharing common historical functions and traits.
No, 'terrier' is not standardly used as a verb. The related behaviour is described with phrases like 'to worry at' (like a terrier with a bone).
From Middle French 'chien terrier' (earth dog), from Medieval Latin 'terrarius' (of the earth), from Latin 'terra' (earth).
It is context-dependent. It can be complimentary (praising determination) or mildly critical (implying annoying stubbornness), but is not strongly offensive.
A small, energetic breed of dog originally bred for hunting vermin or burrowing animals.
Terrier is usually formal (for the dog breed), informal/colloquial (for the metaphorical meaning and army usage). in register.
Terrier: in British English it is pronounced /ˈter.i.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈter.i.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a terrier with a bone (refusing to let go of an issue)”
- “terrier-like tenacity”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TERRitory' - terriers were bred to hunt animals in their TERRitory (earth/burrows). A tenacious person defends their mental 'territory' like a terrier.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSISTENCE IS A TERRIER'S GRIP (e.g., 'She worried at the problem like a terrier.')
Practice
Quiz
In a British military context, 'the Terriers' most likely refers to: