pup

Pup is a common informal term for a young dog, and more generally for a young mammal. In everyday speech, people use “pup” as an affectionate alternative to “puppy” when referring to their dog or other juvenile animals. A young dog is usually called a puppy, but many speakers shorten this to “pup” in casual conversation. The term can also be used for other juvenile animals, such as seals, foxes, or wolves, especially when the speaker is familiar with the animal.

Etymology and usage: The word “pup” is a shortened form of “puppy” and has appeared in English since at least the early modern period. In modern usage, “pup” remains common in North American and British English and often signals familiarity or affection. In online culture, variants such as “pupper” or “pup” appear in memes and casual writing.

Other meanings: In computing, PUP stands for Potentially Unwanted Program, a classification used by security software to describe software that is not malicious but may be unwanted, such as adware or toolbars. Outside of animal-related uses, “pup” has few standard meanings.

Care and biology: Puppies require nutrition, socialization, veterinary care, and appropriate housing as they grow toward adulthood. Weaning typically occurs around 4 to 8 weeks, with full development over several months. The term “pup” is used in shelters, breeders, and veterinary contexts to describe young dogs and other juvenile animals.