Vastny Languages editorial team
Bark, yap, woof, and arf: what's the difference?
Bark is the usual verb or noun for a dog's sound. Yap describes short, sharp barking. Woof and arf often imitate a bark, especially in informal writing.
Bark is the usual verb or noun for a dog's sound. Yap describes short, sharp barking. Woof and arf often imitate a bark, especially in informal writing.
Which word fits here?
Use bark for a dog's usual sound or the action of making it.
Use yap for repeated high-pitched barking, often from a small dog; it can sound disapproving.
Use woof to imitate a dog's bark in writing or playful speech.
Use arf as another informal written imitation of a short bark; it often sounds playful or comic.
How to choose a word
Use bark for a dog's usual sound or the action of making it.
Use yap for repeated high-pitched barking, often from a small dog; it can sound disapproving.
Use woof to imitate a dog's bark in writing or playful speech.
Use arf as another informal written imitation of a short bark; it often sounds playful or comic.
Word by word
bark
Use bark for a dog's usual sound or the action of making it.
The dog barked at a stranger outside the gate.
Our neighbor's dog kept barking all night.
yap
Use yap for repeated high-pitched barking, often from a small dog; it can sound disapproving.
The little terrier kept yapping at the mailman.
A tiny dog was yapping behind the fence.
woof
Use woof to imitate a dog's bark in writing or playful speech.
The child pointed at the puppy and said, "Woof!"
The dog gave one loud woof and ran to the door.
arf
Use arf as another informal written imitation of a short bark; it often sounds playful or comic.
In the comic strip, the dog says, "Arf! Arf!"
She made the toy dog go "arf" to make the baby laugh.
