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.
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.