1. a breed of dog originally from Scotland, with either a long thick coat or a shor
1.nounB1
Definition
a breed of dog originally from Scotland, with either a long thick coat or a short smooth one, often trained to herd farm animals or kept as a family pet
Example
Theo's collie, named Pip, herds the sheep across the field every morning.
collocation: herds sheep / drives livestock
Aiko adopted a smooth-coated collie from the local animal shelter last spring.
modifier: smooth-coated / rough-coated collie
The old collie rested its head on the farmer's lap near the fireplace.
Leila taught her collie to fetch the morning newspaper from the front gate.
verb pattern: teach + object + to-infinitive
A well-trained collie can guide a flock of sheep without any commands from its owner.
broader term for any dog bred to herd sheep; includes collies, border collies, Australian shepherds, etc.
Common Mistakes
That collie is a border collie.' (when meaning any collie).
That dog is a border collie, a popular type of collie.
'Border collie' is one specific breed; 'collie' alone usually refers to the Rough or Smooth Collie breed.
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
A 'collie' is a specific breed from Scotland, most often referring to the Rough Collie (long-haired, like Lassie) or Smooth Collie (short-haired). 'Sheepdog' is a wider category that includes many breeds used for herding — collies, border collies, Australian shepherds, and Old English sheepdogs all fall under this term. 'Herding dog' is even broader, covering any breed with an instinct to gather or drive livestock, including breeds like the Corgi or German Shepherd. 'Border collie' is a separate but related breed, prized for its intense herding style and high energy. If you say 'I own a collie,' most people picture the classic long-haired farm dog. If you say 'I own a border collie,' they picture the smaller, black-and-white dog that crouches and uses an intense stare to control sheep.
The word 'collie' comes from Scottish English, likely from the Scots word 'colley' or 'collie', which referred to a kind of black-faced sheep. The dog was named for the sheep it was bred to herd, rather than for its own appearance. The breed became widely known outside Scotland in the 1800s, partly through the fame of Lassie, the Rough Collie character in books and films.