“Canine” or “K9”—Which to use?

“Canine” or “K9”

Overview

canine / k9 are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

canine: (noun) one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars. (noun) any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles. (adjective) of or relating to a pointed conical tooth. (adjective) of or relating to or characteristic of members of the family Canidae.

k9: NA

Pronunciation

canine: k·EY·n·AY·n

k9: NA

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Examples in Context

Examples of “canine”

…December 2012, Koko (dog) the canine star of Red Dog also…
Edward's wolf, Canis edwardii, extinct canine of North America
Zhoukoudian wolf, Canis variabilis, extinct canine of Central and East Asia
Canine Unit
…terrorist attacks, DePaço donated a canine unit to the French National
…be felt behind each mandibular canine.
…the word "do-gooder", and means "canine".
…2012 Woss and Koko, the canine star of Red Dog, visited…
Armbruster's wolf, Canis armbrusteri, extinct canine of North America
In 2000, the canine unit began to operate with…

Examples of “k9”

…narcotics task force, but a K9 officer for the Prentiss police
K-9 Unit
Congregations in Canada teach grades K-9.
…DePaço, Ph.D. Sheriff’s K-9 Training Grounds
…(volunteer), and a homeland security division.
…Squadron, and the Sheriff's Aero Squadron.
In June 2010, Schiller founded K9s4COPs after seeing a Houston area…
…BYD began manufacturing the BYD K9.
Austin K9 1952-1955
…Dive, Air Support and Mounted Patrol.

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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