canine
gb/kˈeɪnˌaɪn/ us/kˈeɪnˌaɪn/
B2
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
relating to dogs
About dogs, or like a dog.
Usage pattern:
canine [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'canine' can replace 'dog' in all everyday situations (e.g., saying *I have a canine* instead of *I have a dog*). In casual speech, 'dog' is much more natural; 'canine' is more formal or scientific.
Synonyms
doglike (Informal and less common; stresses similarity to a dog in look or behavior.)
|
canid (Technical and zoological; usually used as a noun rather than an adjective.)
Antonyms
feline (Describes things related to cats rather than dogs.)
Collocations
canine companion
|canine behavior
|canine training
|canine health
|canine species
|canine unit
Themes
animals
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city opened a new park with a large canine play area.
- She specializes in canine nutrition and health.
- The shelter offers free vaccines for the local canine population.
- A trained canine team searched the rubble for survivors.
- The movie follows the adventures of a loyal canine hero.
Learner examples
- My brother works at a clinic for canine patients.
- This book is about canine behavior and training.
- The police used a canine team to find the missing child.
- She dreams of becoming a canine veterinarian.
- They sell many kinds of canine toys in that store.
Noun
B2
entity
2
dog or dog-like animal
A dog or an animal from the dog family, like a wolf or fox.
Usage pattern:
[a] canine [does something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'canine' instead of 'dog' in friendly conversation. Saying *I love canines* is possible but sounds more scientific or formal than *I love dogs*.
Synonyms
dog (More common in everyday speech; 'canine' often sounds more formal or scientific.)
|
canid (Technical zoological term for any member of the dog family.)
Antonyms
feline (Refers to cats and cat-like animals, the contrasting family to canines.)
Collocations
domestic canines
|wild canines
|working canines
|police canines
|pack of canines
|trained canines
Themes
animals
|science
|daily life
|nature
Examples
- Wild canines such as wolves and foxes are common in this region.
- The airport employs several highly trained canines to detect drugs.
- As a veterinarian, she treats both felines and canines.
- Researchers tracked the movements of local canines using GPS collars.
- Neighbors complained about stray canines roaming the streets at night.
Learner examples
- The zoo has many canines, like wolves and foxes.
- Two police canines walked beside their handlers.
- This medicine is safe for both cats and canines.
- Some canines live in the wild, and some live with people.
- He studies how wild canines hunt in groups.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
pointed tooth between incisor and premolar
A long, sharp tooth between the front teeth and the back teeth.
Usage pattern:
a canine [in the upper/lower jaw]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'canine' as a noun always means 'dog'. In medical or dental contexts, 'a canine' usually means a type of tooth, not the animal.
Synonyms
cuspid (Standard dentistry term, mainly used by dental professionals.)
Antonyms
incisor (A different type of tooth at the very front of the mouth, contrasting with the canine.)
Collocations
upper canine
|lower canine
|impacted canine
|sharp canine
|broken canine
|erupted canine
Themes
health
|science
|body
Examples
- The dentist said my upper left canine needs a filling.
- In many mammals, the canine is especially long and sharp for tearing meat.
- Her broken canine was replaced with a dental implant.
- The orthodontist plans to guide the impacted canine into its proper position.
- The vampire costume included fake blood and exaggerated canine fangs.
Learner examples
- The dentist took an X-ray of my upper canine.
- His canine is very sharp and a little longer than the other teeth.
- I cut my lip on my lower canine while eating.
- In dogs, the canine teeth are very strong.
- I lost a baby canine when I was ten years old.
adjective
technical
C2
property
4
relating to canine teeth
About the special pointed teeth called canines.
Usage pattern:
canine [structure/region/function]
Synonyms
cuspid (In dentistry, often used as a noun (e.g., 'cuspid tooth') rather than an adjective.)
Antonyms
incisal (In dentistry, describes structures related to the incisor teeth, contrasting with canine-related structures.)
Collocations
canine guidance
|canine root
|canine crown
|canine region
|canine eminence
|canine exposure
Themes
health
|science
|body
Examples
- The procedure aims to preserve canine guidance during orthodontic treatment.
- Swelling was observed in the canine region of the upper jaw.
- The X-ray shows resorption around the canine root.
- A defect in the canine crown required composite restoration.
- The surgeon planned a flap to allow canine exposure and alignment.
Learner examples
- The doctor talked about a problem in the canine area of my mouth.
- In this lesson, we learn about canine shape and function.
- The dentist checked the canine side of my upper jaw.
- Good canine contact can help protect the back teeth.
- Pain in the canine region can mean a tooth problem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
canine
IPA
GB/kˈeɪnˌaɪn/
US/kˈeɪnˌaɪn/
Syllables & stress
can - ine (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (can)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: canine
Noun
- Base: canine
- Plural: canines
Word family
Expressions
canine companion
1/kˈeɪnˌaɪn kəmpˈænjən/
fixed phrase
dog kept as friend or helper
A dog that lives with a person and gives company or help.
Examples
- She adopted an elderly canine companion from the local shelter.
- Many people consider their canine companion part of the family.
- The charity trains canine companions to assist people with disabilities.
canine tooth
1/kˈeɪnˌaɪn tˈuθ/
fixed phrase
specific pointed tooth in the mouth
A long, sharp tooth between the front teeth and the back teeth.
Examples
- The dentist removed my baby canine tooth yesterday.
- In many animals, the canine tooth is used to hold and tear food.
- He chipped his upper canine tooth while playing basketball.
canine unit
1/kˈeɪnˌaɪn jˈunɪt/
fixed phrase
police team with trained dogs
A special group in the police or army that works with trained dogs.
Examples
- The canine unit was called in to search the building for explosives.
- Our city’s canine unit visits schools to teach children about safety.
- Reporters filmed the canine unit as the dogs practiced tracking suspects.