What does "dogman" mean?
A man who has charge of dogs, such as a dog breeder or dog trainer; specifically, a man who trains dogs for the bloodsport of dogfighting.
Dogman
/ˈdɒɡmən/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A man who has charge of dogs, such as a dog breeder or dog trainer; specifically, a man who trains dogs for the bloodsport of dogfighting.
- Grammar: dogman is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: banksman.
- Usage evidence: Every one of those dogmen has been either cajoled, bribed, or commanded by his own particular Circe to take the dear household pet out for an airing.
How to use "dogman"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "dogman" 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 "dogman" 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 "dogman" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "dogman" 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 "dogman" is acting as noun 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 "banksman" 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 "dogman", 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 A man who has charge of dogs, such as a dog breeder or dog trainer; specifically, a man who trains dogs for the bloodsport of dogfighting.
"Every one of those dogmen has been either cajoled, bribed, or commanded by his own particular Circe to take the dear household pet out for an airing."
- 2 An assistant to a crane operator, responsible for securing the crane's load and directing the operator. Australia, New-Zealand
"Throughout 1970 there were repeated calls, particularly from Brian Hogan and Owens, for the banning of dogmen riding hooks, a demand firmly resisted by employers unwilling to hire the extra dogmen required. Accordingly, during 1972 the union embarked upon a concerted campaign to enforce the use of two dogmen on each crane."
- 3 Alternative form of dog man (“a man who likes dogs or prefers dogs as pets, often as opposed to liking cats”). alt-of, alternative
"Now another important component of the skeleton is under scrutiny by some of our most respected dogmen and -women: the anatomy of the chest and the relationship between the correct rib cage and loin."
- 4 An alleged cryptid or mythological creature that is part dog and part man; also (religion) a deity who is part dog and part man.
"[T]his tradition certainly influenced that of Dog-Men (cynanthropy) and of dog-headed men (cynocephaly), […] Dog-Men, however, have historically enjoyed a much richer and more varied mythology than their lycanthropic cousins, no doubt as a result of the ambiguity of the dog itself as much as of cultural or historical trends."
- 5 A man who sells dog meat. obsolete, rare
"You think he could barter and cheat / As vulgar diplomates use, / With the people’s heart in his breast? / […] / And filch the dogman’s meat / To feed the offspring of God?"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Every one of those dogmen has been either cajoled, bribed, or commanded by his own particular Circe to take the dear household pet out for an airing."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "dogman"?
Common synonyms include: banksman.
How do you use "dogman" in a sentence?
Every one of those dogmen has been either cajoled, bribed, or commanded by his own particular Circe to take the dear household pet out for an airing.
How do you pronounce "dogman"?
Pronounced /ˈdɒɡmən/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From dog (“the domesticated mammal Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris”) + -man (suffix denoting someone (possibly implied male) who is an expert in an area, who is employed or holds a position in an area, or who takes part in an activity) or man (senses 2 and 3).
Etymology 2
From dog (“part of a crane that holds the items to be lifted”) + -man (suffix denoting someone (possibly implied male) who is an expert in an area, who is employed or holds a position in an area, or who takes part in an activity), from the fact that such a person would often ride on the load lifted by the crane when carrying out their duty.