Dog Days

Pronunciation: /dɔɡ deɪz/

Definitions of dog days

noun a period of hot, sultry weather occurring during the summer months

Example Sentences

A1 During the dog days of summer, it's too hot to go outside.

A2 The dog days can be tough for pets without access to shade and water.

B1 In the dog days of August, many people escape to the beach for relief from the heat.

B2 The phrase 'dog days' comes from the ancient belief that the hottest days of summer were caused by the alignment of Sirius, the Dog Star.

C1 The dog days of summer are often associated with lethargy and a slower pace of life.

C2 During the dog days, it's important to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Examples of dog days in a Sentence

formal The dog days of summer are typically the hottest and most oppressive days of the season.

informal I always feel so lazy during the dog days of summer.

slang I can't wait for the dog days to be over so we can start school again.

figurative During the dog days of the project, everyone was feeling burnt out and unmotivated.

Grammatical Forms of dog days

• plural: dog days
• comparative: more dog days
• superlative: most dog days
• present tense: dog days
• future tense: will be dog days
• perfect tense: have been dog days
• continuous tense: are being dog days
• singular: dog day
• positive degree: dog days
• infinitive: to dog days
• gerund: dog days
• participle: dog days

Origin and Evolution of dog days

First Known Use: 1540 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The term 'dog days' originated from the ancient Greeks and Romans who believed that the hot and humid days of summer were influenced by the rising of the star Sirius, also known as the 'Dog Star'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to the period of time when Sirius rose with the sun, 'dog days' eventually evolved to represent the hottest and most uncomfortable days of summer.