spaniel

noun

span·​iel ˈspan-yəl How to pronounce spaniel (audio)
also ˈspa-nᵊl
1
: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs usually having long wavy hair, feathered legs and tail, and large drooping ears
2
: a fawning servile person

Examples of spaniel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
English springer spaniel Springer spaniels are people dogs through and through. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 18 June 2026 The owner snapped a photo of Mabel, a spaniel, with her paws on top of a stool. — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025 Carlson has spoken of his own brush with demonic forces, who left him bloodied and scratched in the night, while his wife and their four spaniels slept undisturbed. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 Cavalier spaniels, terriers, and basenjis are ideal breeds for small apartments. — The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spaniel

Word History

Etymology

Middle English spaynel, spaniell, from Anglo-French espainnel, alteration of espaignol Spaniard, from Vulgar Latin *Hispaniolus, from Latin Hispania Spain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spaniel was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing spaniel

Rhymes for spaniel

See All Rhymes for spaniel

Browse Nearby Words

Spaniard
spaniel
spaning
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Cite this Entry

“Spaniel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spaniel. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spaniel

noun
span·​iel ˈspan-yəl How to pronounce spaniel (audio)
: a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs that usually have long wavy hair and large drooping ears

More from Merriam-Webster on spaniel

Nglish: Translation of spaniel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spaniel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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