What does corgi mean?
A corgi is a small herding dog from Wales, distinguished by its remarkably long body, short legs, large upright ears, and foxlike face. Two distinct breeds are recognized: the Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Cardigan Welsh corgi, both originally developed to drive cattle by nipping at their heels — a task their low stature suited, since kicks passed safely overhead. The name comes from the Welsh 'cor' (dwarf) and 'ci' (dog), literally meaning 'dwarf dog.' Corgis enjoy enormous popularity worldwide, boosted by their long association with Queen Elizabeth II, who kept them for decades. The standard plural is 'corgis,' though the Welsh form 'corgwn' survives among enthusiasts. Affectionate, intelligent, and strongly associated with British culture, the corgi is as much a cultural icon as a working breed.
nounA corgi is a small, long-bodied, short-legged herding dog of a Welsh breed, typically with large erect ears and either a Pembroke or Cardigan variety.
- A small long-bodied short-legged herding dog of Welsh origin, of the Pembroke or Cardigan variety.
"The Queen's corgis trotted faithfully behind her through the palace corridors."
"Her corgi waddled excitedly to greet every visitor at the door."
"Originally bred to herd cattle in Wales, the corgi nipped at the heels of much larger animals."
The regular English plural 'corgis' is standard; 'corgwn' follows Welsh pluralization and is used mainly by breed enthusiasts.
"Several corgis competed at the regional herding trials."
The word literally means 'dwarf dog' in Welsh — cor means dwarf and ci means dog — making it one of the few breeds whose name describes its own short legs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of corgi
The word corgi derives from Welsh, combining 'cor' meaning dwarf and 'ci' meaning dog — so the name literally translates as 'dwarf dog.' The term has been used in Wales for centuries, reflecting the breed's ancient Celtic origins, though the exact age of both the dogs and the word is uncertain. Related Welsh naming conventions survive in other native breed names such as the Sealyham's regional counterparts, but corgi remains the most internationally recognizable borrowing from Welsh into English canine vocabulary.
Related word forms
How corgi is actually used
The plural is usually 'corgis'; the Welsh plural 'corgwn' also appears but is less common. The two recognized varieties are the Pembroke Welsh corgi (the more popular, famously favored by Queen Elizabeth II) and the Cardigan Welsh corgi. The word is informal-to-neutral in register and carries affectionate connotations.