hound

hound — noun

1. a dog that people train to find or chase wild animals, such as rabbits or foxes,

1.nounB1
Definition

a dog that people train to find or chase wild animals, such as rabbits or foxes, when hunting.

Example

Jiwoo's family keeps two hounds for hunting rabbits on their farm.

collocation: hounds for hunting

The hound picked up the fox's scent and ran into the forest.

Common collocations
  • hunt with hounds
  • pack of hounds
  • track with hounds
Synonyms
  • hunting dog

    more general and descriptive; 'hound' is the specific label for breeds used in hunting

  • scent hound

    a subtype that tracks by smell, such as a beagle or bloodhound

  • sight hound

    a subtype that chases by sight, such as a greyhound or whippet

Grammar Patterns

hound + verb

adjective + hound

Usage Note

Often used in compounds with specific breed names such as greyhound, bloodhound, and wolfhound.

Common Mistakes

I saw a hound on the street, just a friendly pet dog.
I saw a hound on the hunting trail, sniffing for rabbits.
'hound' refers to a specific type of hunting dog, not any dog.

2. someone who behaves in a cruel, dishonest, or selfish way that makes other peopl

2.nounC1
Definition

someone who behaves in a cruel, dishonest, or selfish way that makes other people strongly dislike them.

Example

Gabriela called the man a worthless hound after he lied about the accident.

derogatory label: [adjective] + hound

The newspaper described the politician as a greedy hound who would betray anyone for money.

Common collocations
  • greedy hound
  • worthless hound
  • heartless hound
Synonyms
  • scoundrel

    similar strength but more literary; 'hound' is more direct and informal

  • rogue

    less severe and sometimes playful; 'hound' carries stronger moral judgment

  • villain

    more dramatic and theatrical; 'hound' feels more personal and everyday

Antonyms
  • hero

    someone admired for courage or noble qualities

  • saint

    someone very kind or morally good — the opposite extreme

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] + hound

Usage Note

A strong, emotionally charged insult. Usually paired with a disapproving adjective (greedy hound, worthless hound) or used as a direct name-calling label.

Common Mistakes

He's a bit of a hound for not sharing his food.
He's a hound who cheated his own family out of their inheritance.
This is a severe insult for cruel or dishonest people, not a mild complaint.

hound — verb

Word family

  • hounding
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Hound, harass, badger, pester, and pursue all involve persistently going after someone, but they differ in intensity and tone. Hound suggests relentless pressure that leaves the target no peace or escape—like being followed or contacted repeatedly until giving in. Harass implies repeated hostile or threatening acts that create an intimidating environment; it is stronger and more aggressive. Badger focuses on annoying someone by asking again and again, often with requests or questions. Pester is the mildest of the group, suggesting a nuisance rather than a threat—like a child asking for sweets. Pursue is neutral and can be physical (chasing) or goal-oriented (pursuing a dream); it lacks the negative, pressuring tone of hound. For example, 'Reporters hounded the mayor for weeks' means they kept demanding answers and giving him no rest, whereas 'Reporters pestered the mayor' sounds like a milder annoyance.

harassbadger ↗pester ↗pursue ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • hunt with hounds
  • a pack of hounds
  • cry hound

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Hound comes from Old English hund, meaning 'dog,' which traces back to the Proto-Germanic word *hundaz. In early English, hund referred to any dog, but by the Middle English period the meaning narrowed to hunting dogs specifically. The verb sense 'to pursue or harass' developed in the late 1500s, drawing on the image of hounds chasing game. The figurative noun sense 'a contemptible person' appeared in the 1600s, using the dog as a symbol of low, greedy behaviour.