What does dogleg mean?
A dogleg is a sharp bend or abrupt change of direction, so called because it resembles the angular jointed shape of a dog's hind leg. The term appears most often in three contexts: roads and trails that bend abruptly around obstacles, golf holes whose fairway angles sharply between tee and green, and staircases built as two parallel flights joined by a half-landing. It also serves as a verb, as when a road or river doglegs through difficult terrain. In golf especially, players speak of a 'dogleg left' or 'dogleg right' to describe how a hole turns, since such holes demand strategic shot placement rather than a straight drive. The word carries no emotional charge — it is practical, descriptive vocabulary favored by architects, engineers, golfers, and writers describing winding routes. Its vivid anatomical image makes it instantly memorable: anything that kinks sharply, like a bent limb rather than a smooth curve, can fairly be called a dogleg.
A sharp bend or angle, especially in a road, staircase, golf hole, or length of piping.
"Take the second exit after the road makes its long dogleg past the quarry."
In golf, typically qualified by direction: 'a dogleg left' or 'a dogleg right'.
To bend or proceed with a sharp angle or series of angles; to zigzag.
"The trail doglegs up the cliff face before leveling out near the summit."
Regular plural, used for multiple bends or multiple golf holes with sharp angles.
"The back nine features two punishing doglegs that reward accurate driving."
Golfers dread it, stair-builders love it: a dogleg is named for the angular shape of a dog's hind leg — proof that even anatomy can become architecture.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dogleg
The word dogleg combines the familiar nouns 'dog' and 'leg', arising from the resemblance of a sharp-angled bend to the jointed hind leg of a canine. It emerged in English during the nineteenth century, first appearing in technical and sporting contexts before spreading to general use. Because it is a transparent compound of native Germanic words, it has no cognates in other languages beyond those that share the root elements 'dog' and 'leg'.
Related word forms
How dogleg is actually used
Common in golf commentary, architecture, and engineering. In golf, 'dogleg' almost always appears with a direction ('dogleg left' or 'dogleg right'). The word is neutral in tone and used in both British and American English without significant regional variation.
Easily confused with dogleg
Dogleg refers to a sharp bend or angle in a path or object, while dog-eared describes the folded or worn corners of book pages.