Ferret
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈfɛɹɪt/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Ferret is a noun meaning A black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).
Meaning
A black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes).
More Meanings
- (figurative) A diligent searcher.
- To hunt game with ferrets.
- (by extension, ambitransitive) To uncover and bring to light by searching; usually to ferret out.
- An often domesticated mammal (Mustela putorius furo) rather like a weasel, descended from the European polecat and often trained to hunt burrowing animals.
- (dated) A tape of silk, cotton, or ribbon, used to tie documents, clothing, etc. or along the edge of fabric.
Example Sentences
red tape and green ferret
Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
He had been piqued by the failure of all his endeavors to ferret out the assassins.
She ferreted in her bag; then held it up mouth downwards; then fumbled in her lap, all so vigorously that Charles Steele in the Panama hat suspended his paint-brush.
Word Forms
- ferrets
- ferreting
- ferreted
Synonyms for ferret
Depending on context, synonyms include grub.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include grub, weasel, footed, delve, polecat, ferret-badger.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.