What does "dogleg" mean?
Something (such as a canyon or road) with a sharp bend or turn in it.; A configuration of stairs where a flight ascends to a half-landing before turning 180 degrees and continuing upwards.
Dogleg
/ˈdɒɡlɛɡ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Something (such as a canyon or road) with a sharp bend or turn in it.; A configuration of stairs where a flight ascends to a half-landing before turning 180 degrees and continuing upwards.
- Grammar: dogleg is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: aberrancy, aberration, angle, apex.
- Usage evidence: The Q Street crossing of Wisconsin Avenue is an extreme example of such a location, the dog-leg itself being so long, about 150 feet, that in reality two T intersections exist.
How to use "dogleg"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dogleg" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "dogleg" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "dogleg" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dogleg" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "dogleg" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "aberrancy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "dogleg", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Something (such as a canyon or road) with a sharp bend or turn in it.; A configuration of stairs where a flight ascends to a half-landing before turning 180 degrees and continuing upwards. also, attributive
- 2 a golf hole with a sharp angle in the fairway wordnet
- 3 Something (such as a canyon or road) with a sharp bend or turn in it.; A sharp bend in the fairway before reaching a hole. also, attributive
- 4 angle that resembles the hind leg of a dog wordnet
- 5 A single intersection consisting of two opposing T-junctions in close proximity; an intersection with a staggered cross street. US, also, attributive
"The Q Street crossing of Wisconsin Avenue is an extreme example of such a location, the dog-leg itself being so long, about 150 feet, that in reality two T intersections exist."
Verb
- 1 To bend in the shape of the hind leg of a dog, especially to turn and then turn back sharply to the original direction. intransitive
"When the causeway doglegs and all of a sudden you spot sixteen roller coasters in the same place, it can take your breath away."
Example
"The Q Street crossing of Wisconsin Avenue is an extreme example of such a location, the dog-leg itself being so long, about 150 feet, that in reality two T intersections exist."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dogleg"?
Common synonyms include: aberrancy, aberration, angle, apex, bend, bias.
How do you use "dogleg" in a sentence?
The Q Street crossing of Wisconsin Avenue is an extreme example of such a location, the dog-leg itself being so long, about 150 feet, that in reality two T intersections exist.
How do you pronounce "dogleg"?
Pronounced /ˈdɒɡlɛɡ/.
Etymology
The noun is derived from dog + leg, referring to the shape of the hind leg of a dog. The verb is derived from the noun.