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Glite Dictionary
dogstooth check

dogstooth check

7.7
A cloth pattern with small jagged checks like a dog's tooth
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : pata de gallo
  • The suit's dogstooth check pattern gave it a classic, sophisticated look.

Examples

  • She bought a scarf with a bold dogstooth check design for the winter.

  • Interior designers often use dogstooth check fabrics to add visual interest to chairs and sofas.

  • Look at this beautiful dogstooth check fabric!

  • I love the dogstooth check pattern on my new jacket.

  • Interior designers often use dogstooth check fabrics to add visual interest to chairs and sofas.

  • She bought a scarf with a bold dogstooth check design for the winter.

  • The suit's dogstooth check pattern gave it a classic, sophisticated look.

Synonyms

check
vsdogstooth check
20 3.3

A pattern of small squares, like a chessboard or tablecloth

is a specific small jagged version rather than regular square checks
dog's-tooth check
vsdogstooth check
  • UK
9.1

A small jagged check pattern on fabric often black and white

is the same pattern but written without an apostrophe
houndstooth check
vsdogstooth check
7.7

A cloth pattern of small jagged checks in two colors

focuses on the pattern shape rather than color presentation
hound's-tooth check
vsdogstooth check
7.9

A cloth pattern of small broken checks usually black and white

is the same pattern but applies to any color combination

Antonyms

plain
50 2.5

Not attractive to look at

solid color
  • US
2 3.0

A single, even color with no pattern or shade change

Surface Forms

dogstooth check singular
dogstooth checks plural

Morphology

dogstooth + check

The noun is compositionally descriptive: 'check' denotes a patterned design and 'dogstooth' (literally dog + tooth) signals a tooth‑like shape, so a learner who knows the parts can infer it is a check pattern resembling a dog's tooth. However, 'dogstooth' is somewhat lexicalized and the specific jagged/broken-check appearance may not be fully predictable without exposure, so the transparency is partial.

Etymology

Dogstooth check may come from the small, jagged shapes in the design called dogstooth that look like a dog's tooth, while check names the small square pattern. So the phrase now means a cloth 'pattern' of tiny broken checks used in clothes and furniture.