What does greyhound mean?
Greyhound primarily names a breed of slender, short-haired sighthound developed for its exceptional speed. The dogs are best known as racing animals, although greyhounds have also traditionally been used in coursing and other forms of hunting. Their long legs, deep chests, narrow heads, and streamlined bodies are associated with fast pursuit rather than the varied roles of many other dog breeds. In figurative use, a greyhound may be a person or animal noted for moving quickly. The word is also occasionally used as a rare verb meaning to run or race swiftly. Greyhound comes from an Old English compound joining the words for “grey” and “hound,” reflecting the breed’s historical association with hunting and coursing. Today it most often refers to a racing dog, but it retains associations with speed, elegance, and an ancient sporting tradition. The spelling “grayhound” is chiefly used in North America.
A lean, short-haired sighthound breed noted for speed, especially when used for racing or coursing; figuratively, a very fast runner.
"Two greyhounds reached the lead together in the final lap."
The noun is common in both British and American English. “Grayhound” is chiefly a North American spelling variant.
To run or race with great speed.
"The champion greyhounded across the track and won by several lengths."
This use is rare and is chiefly literary or informal.
The regular plural is greyhounds; the plural can also refer collectively to dogs of the breed.
"The trainer walked three greyhounds into the paddock."
A greyhound is a canine sprinter, and its name records an Old English colour-and-dog compound: “grey” plus “hound.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does greyhound come from?
Greyhound is an English compound formed from Old English words meaning “grey” and “hound.” The compound appeared in Middle English in forms such as greyhound and greyhund, with grayhound and grehound among its later spelling variants. The second element belongs to the same Germanic family as English hound and hunt, while the first records a traditional colour designation for the dog.
Related word forms
How greyhound is actually used
The noun is standard in British and American English; “greyhound” is the usual British spelling, while “grayhound” is chiefly a North American variant. The verb is rare and more literary or informal than the noun.