1
a
b
: woven fabric
also
: the texture of such a fabric
2
: a basic or essential element or material
woofed; woofing; woofs
1
: to make the low gruff sound typically produced by a dog
2
: to express oneself in a usually stylized boastful or aggressive manner
1
: a low gruff sound typically produced by a dog
2
: a low note emitted by sound reproducing equipment
Examples of woof in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Not constantly, but programmed so that a woof or two is heard every few minutes.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Here’s my pick of the 5 great luxury SUVS for dog lovers:
Dog Friendly: Bentley Bentayga
In 2023, Bentley ‘raised the woof’ at Goodwood’s festival for dogs—known as Goodwoof— by showcasing a rare breed of Bentayga monikered ‘Bentley the sheepdog’.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
There’s no dialogue, at least none decipherable to human ears — everything is a symphony of meows, woofs, squawks, grunts, squeaks, squeals and simian cries.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Starbucks is standing firm on its complimentary woof and water conditions.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
And sure enough, over time the sharp bark morphed into an almost welcoming woof, and the conversations with Etti lengthened into several sentences, mutually understood despite my nonnative accent.
—Sue Wunder, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 May 2023
Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 22 May 2025
Unfortunately, the subsequent lawsuits only served to popularize the song, which became a niche hit among the sort of people who like those albums where dogs and cats woof and meow their way through Christmas songs.
—Alexandra Petri, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
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Noun
Bill killed another deer, and heard a bear woof immediately after his two shots.
—Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Not constantly, but programmed so that a woof or two is heard every few minutes.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Here’s my pick of the 5 great luxury SUVS for dog lovers:
Dog Friendly: Bentley Bentayga
In 2023, Bentley ‘raised the woof’ at Goodwood’s festival for dogs—known as Goodwoof— by showcasing a rare breed of Bentayga monikered ‘Bentley the sheepdog’.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
There’s no dialogue, at least none decipherable to human ears — everything is a symphony of meows, woofs, squawks, grunts, squeaks, squeals and simian cries.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
Starbucks is standing firm on its complimentary woof and water conditions.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024
And sure enough, over time the sharp bark morphed into an almost welcoming woof, and the conversations with Etti lengthened into several sentences, mutually understood despite my nonnative accent.
—Sue Wunder, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 May 2023
Verb
Hundreds of fans and their dogs showed up to cheer (and woof) for the Mets.
—Jeremy Rellosa, Curbed, 22 May 2025
Unfortunately, the subsequent lawsuits only served to popularize the song, which became a niche hit among the sort of people who like those albums where dogs and cats woof and meow their way through Christmas songs.
—Alexandra Petri, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Woof.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woof. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
woof
2 of 3 verb
: to make the sound of a woof
woof
3 of 3 noun
: a deep harsh sound made by a dog
Etymology
Noun
Middle English oof "threads, crossing the warp," from Old English ōwef (same meaning), from ō- "on" (from on) and -wef (related to web "web" and wefan "to weave")
Noun
a word created in imitation of the sound
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