WordGarden.iopuppyish
B1Pronunciation
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Meanings
Adjective
eager, playful, or naively affectionate in a puppy-like way
like a puppy in appearance, behavior, or qualities
Beyond the definition
"Puppyish" describes someone with the bright energy and innocent excitement of a young dog. It is not only about being young. It also suggests a kind of eagerness that is playful, a little naive, and sometimes awkward because of inexperience. You might call a new employee "puppyish" if they are very keen but still learning how things work. The word is often warm or amused in tone, but it can also suggest that the person is not yet polished or fully serious.
"Puppyish" is not simply another way to say young, although youth is part of the idea. It usually describes a person, manner, or behavior that feels full of eager, playful, almost childlike excitement. There is often something open, trusting, and slightly clumsy about it, like someone rushing forward before they fully know what they are doing. A new worker, a shy person trying to flirt, or a writer whose style feels lively but rough around the edges might all be described this way.
The word can sometimes sound slightly condescending because it suggests that the person is not fully mature, experienced, or polished yet. Still, it is usually not a harsh insult. More often, it carries affection or mild amusement, especially when the person's innocence or enthusiasm seems charming. It usually refers to behavior and temperament rather than looks. In most uses, the idea is the same: warm, eager energy that is appealing but still a little raw.
Examples
- 1
Workplace eagerness
The new intern had a puppyish eagerness to help with everything.
- 2
Friendly expression
His puppyish grin made it hard to stay annoyed with him.
- 3
Film charm
In his early films, he had a puppyish charm that audiences loved.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- puppyishadjective