puppy

A puppy is a very young dog, usually one that is still small, playful, and growing. The word often brings to mind soft fur, clumsy steps, and lots of energy, but its main meaning is simple: a dog in its early stage of life.

You often hear it in everyday stories, such as "She got a puppy for her birthday," or in simple descriptions like "The puppies ran around the yard." People also use it in set phrases like "puppy love," which means young, innocent romantic feelings. It is normally used for young dogs, not adult ones.

"Puppy" refers to a very young dog, especially one that is still growing and not yet fully mature. In many cases, it means a dog in the first months of life, though people may use the word a little more loosely for young dogs that are still clearly not adults. The core idea is youth.

The word often carries a warm feeling because young dogs are usually playful, curious, and friendly. A sentence like "The puppy chewed my shoe" tells you not only that the dog is young, but also suggests lively, untrained behavior. In the same way, "They brought home a new puppy" sounds personal and affectionate because the word naturally fits family life, care, and early training.

"Puppy" also appears in a few extended uses. The phrase "puppy love" describes young romantic feelings that seem sweet, innocent, or not yet serious. Sometimes people use the word in a playful way for someone who seems very young or inexperienced, but that use is less common and depends a lot on tone.

You can compare it with "pup," which is shorter and can sound more casual. "Pup" is also used for the young of some other animals, while "puppy" most often points to a young dog. In normal everyday English, if someone says "puppy," the listener will almost always picture a small young dog.

So when the word appears in a story, it usually brings a clear image: a young dog at the beginning of its life, full of energy, learning about the world, and often making a mess while doing it.