adjective / noun
brindle
BRIN-dul/ˈbrɪndl/
A brownish or grayish animal coat pattern with darker streaks or spots.
The dog's brindle coat has dark streaks running through its brown fur.
Etymology
Middle English brended described darker streaks, apparently imagined as marks left by branding or burning. That image connects the word’s history to the contrasting streaks of a brindle coat.
In context
Brindle Shih Tzus are often considered one of the most beautiful kinds of this breed.
More examples
- A brindle calf stands beside the gate.
- The shelter describes the puppy's coloring as brindle.
- The litter includes a brindle and two black puppies.
Forms
brindle · brindles
Similar words
- spotted
- Spotted describes separate patches or dots; brindle typically has irregular darker streaks.