bow-wow
9.3
A word children use for a dog
- noun
- /ˈbaʊˌwaʊ/
- Baby Talk
:
perrito
- Bow-wow.
Examples
-
I'm looking for Irma, with the green stockings and the bow-wow...
-
The little boy was so excited to see the bow-wow playing in the park.
-
She took her bow-wow for a walk every morning before school.
-
My friend adopted a small bow-wow from the animal shelter last week.
Synonyms
88
3.7
A child's friendly word for a dog
is more childish and playful rather than mainly affectionate in tone
49
7.7
A small friendly dog kept as a pet
is childish and playful in tone rather than neutral adult usage
31
4.6
A childish word for a pet animal that people walk and play with
is used more widely beyond child speech rather than only by children
5
7.7
A dog that keeps making loud noises
is a general informal or childish term not about barking or sound
9.0
A dog often shown in funny pictures or posts online
is a more general informal or childish term not limited to online use
9.9
A dog that is messy and badly behaved
is a childish informal term without vulgar insult or negative behaviour focus
How Informal
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word bow-wow is a childish name for a 'dog' that comes from copying a dog's bark, 'bow-wow'. So calling a pet a bow-wow is like giving it a playful nickname based on the sound it makes.