Definition

A bright spot that appears on either side of the sun, often creating a halo effect in the sky.

Example

We saw a beautiful sundog while hiking on the mountain.

Conversation

Did you see that amazing sundog in the sky yesterday?

Yeah, it was incredible! I've never seen one before.

I didn’t know they were so rare; it looked like a little rainbow.

Totally! Nature can be so fascinating sometimes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Sundog is formed from "sun" (from Old English "sunne", meaning the star that gives light) and "dog" (from Old English "docga", meaning a dog or a powerful breed of dog). The term "sundog" refers to a bright spot that appears on either side of the sun, resembling a dog following the sun.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'sun' as the bright star in the sky and 'dog' as a loyal companion. A sundog is like a companion to the sun, appearing beside it in the sky.

Visually Confused Words