What does bobtailed mean?
"Bobtailed" describes something having a conspicuously short tail — either because the tail was cut short, or because the animal was born that way. It applies most often to dogs, cats, horses, and sheep: certain breeds, like the Manx cat or the Old English Sheepdog, are famous for their bobtailed appearance. Historically, the word also carried over into clothing, where a "bobtailed coat" meant a jacket cut noticeably shorter than standard, and the term could describe anything curiously truncated or made brief. The word derives from "bob," an old verb meaning to cut short or clip, combined with "tail." Because tail docking has become controversial and is restricted in many countries, the adjective today increasingly describes natural rather than surgical shortness. Its tone is neutral and descriptive, common in animal husbandry, breed standards, and veterinary contexts, though it retains a slightly old-fashioned charm in figurative uses about shortened garments or texts.
adjectiveHaving a tail that has been cut short or is naturally short; a bobtailed animal is one whose tail is docked or unusually stubby. The word can also describe anything made short or abbreviated.
- (Of an animal, especially a dog, cat, horse, or sheep) having a naturally short tail or one that has been cut short (docked).
- (Of clothing, especially a garment such as a coat) cut so as to be noticeably shorter than usual; abbreviated.
"The old sheepdog trotted across the field with its characteristic bobtailed gait."
"The breeder specializes in bobtailed cats, including the Manx and the American Bobtail."
"He wore a shabby bobtailed coat that stopped well above the knee."
A bobtailed cat isn't necessarily injured — breeds like the Manx are simply born without much of a tail to begin with.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bobtailed
The word combines "bob," a Middle English verb of uncertain ultimate origin meaning to cut short, clip, or trim, with "tail." The compound noun "bobtail" — a tail cut short — appears by the sixteenth century, and the adjective "bobtailed" followed soon after. Related forms include the simple adjective "bobbed." The same root "bob" gives us other clipping senses, such as a "bob" haircut, reflecting the long English habit of using the syllable to denote anything cut bluntly short.
Related word forms
How bobtailed is actually used
Mostly used in descriptions of animals, particularly working breeds whose tails are traditionally docked for practical or historical reasons. When applied to clothing, the term is somewhat dated and literary in flavor. In some jurisdictions, tail docking is now restricted or banned, which has shifted the term's use toward naturally short-tailed breeds.
Easily confused with bobtailed
'Bobtail' is the noun referring to the shortened tail itself (or an animal with one), while 'bobtailed' is the adjective describing something that has such a tail.