Whelp - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A whelp is a young offspring of certain animals, especially dogs or wolves. It can also refer to an inexperienced or immature person, often used in a derogatory way.
Definition:
A young offspring of a dog or other carnivorous mammal.
Synonyms:
pup, cub, offspring, youngling
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
adult, parent
Common Collocations:
lion whelp, bear whelp, wolf whelp, female whelp
Derivatives:
whelped, whelping
Usage Tips:
Use "whelp" for young animals; avoid for humans unless poetic or archaic contexts.
Common Phrases:
lion's whelp, bear whelp, wolf's whelp
Etymology:
Old English "hwelp," from Proto-Germanic *hwelpaz, meaning "young animal."
Examples:
- 1. The lioness guarded her whelp fiercely.
- 2. The dog will whelp in the spring.
- 3. We found a fox whelp in the woods.
- 4. The zookeeper fed the tiger whelp by hand.