# terrier

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtɛɹiə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #21,382

## Definitions
1. A dog from a group of small, lively breeds, originally bred for the hunting of burrowing prey such as rats, rabbits, foxes, and even otters; this original function is reflected in some of their names (e.g. rat terrier).
2. Someone displaying terrier-like qualities such as determined pursuit.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French, from Old French chien terrier (“terrier dog”), from chien (“dog”) + Old French terrier (“of earth”, adjective), from Medieval Latin terrarius (“of earth”), from Latin terra (“earth”).

## Easily confused with
- **trier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terrier-vs-trier)
- **terror** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terrier-vs-terror)
- **terrify** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terrier-vs-terrify)

## Common misspellings (8)
`etrrier`, `terier`, `terirer`, `terreir`, `terrierr`, `terrire`, `trerier`, `tterrier`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/terrier