Labrador retriever
4
2.7
- noun
- /ˈlæbrəˌdɔr rɪˈtrivər/
:
labrador retriever
- A family on Tryon Bay has a Labrador retriever that swims in circles for hours, chasing ducks.
- a yellow Labrador retriever
- a black Labrador retriever
- a chocolate Labrador retriever
Examples
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When I was eight years old, Dad got us our first purebred dog, an AKC-registered black Labrador retriever.
Blog text (30) -
We had an old Labrador retriever who one day had trouble getting up.
Academic text (2009) -
A black Labrador retriever ran from behind the cabin, barking at his approach.
Fiction book (1999) -
We thought he was so crazy about us, but it turned out that Labrador retrievers adore everyone.
Fiction book (2000) -
The first thing that came to greet them was a Labrador retriever.
Fiction book (2000) -
When Georgie, our Labrador retriever, scratches at the door, he jumps up to let her out.
Fiction book (1997) -
Katie's friendly Labrador retriever loves to play fetch in the park every afternoon.
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The family adopted a gentle Labrador retriever with a beautiful yellow coat from the shelter.
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Milo, their chocolate Labrador retriever, is known for his intelligence and ability to learn new tricks quickly.
Synonyms
32
2.0
A dog with thick, water-resistant fur bred to fetch game for hunters
13
1.6
A large gentle dog often kept as a family pet or trained to help people
How Strong
2
3.1
1
2.3
4
2.7
23
1.3
11
3.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase names a type of dog that is compositionally built from 'Labrador' (the Labrador variety) and 'retriever' (a type of gun dog), so the overall meaning — a retriever of the Labrador breed — is directly derivable from the parts. This breed-name noun-noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows ordinary English compounding, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will understand it.
Etymology
Labrador retriever comes from dogs on the cold coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador. One popular story says fishermen used friendly dogs called Labrador dogs to jump into the water and bring back fish or nets, so retriever means 'one who retrieves' — that's why the breed is famous for swimming and loves to fetch.