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Glite Dictionary
puppyish

puppyish

1 4.2
Acting playful and eager, like a young dog
  • adjective
  • /ˈpʌpiɪʃ/
translation icon : cachorrón

Examples

  • She supposed it was flattering, this puppyish devotion, but it was seriously beginning to get on her nerves.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Sara traces his puppyish nose with her finger: a warm, shaggy, thick-coated little dog.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The puppyish boy bounced around the yard, full of energy and joy.

  • His puppyish attitude made everyone around him smile and feel cheerful.

  • With her puppyish laughter, she brought a sense of innocence to the party.

Synonyms

boyish
vspuppyish
27 3.0

Like a young boy in look or behavior, showing innocence and being playful

is similar but lacks gendered nuance and focuses on animal characteristics
babyish
vspuppyish
3 3.0

Acting or speaking like a baby and seeming childish

is more playful and energetic rather than merely childish or immature
kittenish
vspuppyish
1 7.3

Having a playful and slightly flirty way

is more innocent and enthusiastic rather than teasing or flirtatious
puppylike
vspuppyish
2.8

Acting playful and innocent like a young dog

is identical in meaning but is a different word form
kiddish
vspuppyish
  • Archaic
7.5

Acting like a child in a simple, not serious way

is more about playful innocence rather than clear immaturity or naivety
doggish
vspuppyish
7.4

Acting like a dog by being loyal or playful

is lighter and more youthful rather than crude or adult in tone

Antonyms

serious
452 1.4

Calm and focused, not playful or joking

stoic
1 6.3

A person who does not show strong feelings even when hurt or sad

How Playful

boisterous
18 4.7
playful
79 1.6
puppyish
1 4.2
calm
735 1.0
serious
452 1.4

Surface Forms

puppyish positive

Morphology

puppyish = puppy (transparent) = puppy + ish

The suffix '-ish' is commonly used to form adjectives indicating a characteristic or quality, making the meaning clear.

Etymology

Puppyish comes from puppy and the ending -ish, which means 'like' or 'having the quality of'. So, to be puppyish is to be playful, eager, or innocent, just like a young dog.