online vocabulary.com

Squirrel - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A squirrel is a small, agile rodent with a bushy tail, known for climbing trees and storing nuts. They are commonly found in forests, parks, and urban areas.

squirrel

/ˈskwɝːəl/ /ˈskwɪrəl/

Definition:

A small, bushy-tailed rodent that climbs trees and stores nuts for winter.

Synonyms:

rodent, chipmunk, tree rat

Part of Speech:

noun, verb

Antonyms:

predator, hawk (contextual opposites)

Common Collocations:

squirrel away, gray squirrel, red squirrel, flying squirrel

Derivatives:

squirrely, squirreling

Usage Tips:

Use "squirrel" as a noun for the animal or a verb meaning to hoard something secretly.

Common Phrases:

squirrel away, busy as a squirrel, like a squirrel in a cage

Etymology:

From Old French "esquirel," derived from Greek "skiouros" (shadow-tailed).

Examples:

  • 1. The squirrel climbed the oak tree swiftly.
  • 2. She likes to watch squirrels gather acorns in the park.
  • 3. He tends to squirrel away snacks in his desk drawer.
  • 4. A gray squirrel darted across the garden path.
  • 5. The children giggled as the squirrel chased its tail.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS