beaver
8 synonyms for beaver, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use beaver
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
beaver away at
busy as a beaver
a beaver dam
Etymology
From Old English befer, going back to a very old Germanic and Indo-European root for the animal, related to words like Dutch bever and German Biber. The verb sense ("beaver away") comes from the animal's reputation for tireless, industrious work.
Full origin of beaver →Frequently asked questions
What does “beaver” mean?
The word “beaver” means a large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood. In plain terms, either the dam-building animal, or (as a verb) working hard and busily at something.
How do you pronounce “beaver”?
“Beaver” is pronounced BEE-vuh (/ˈbivɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “beaver” in a sentence?
Here is “beaver” used in a sentence: “A family of beavers had dammed the stream, flooding part of the meadow.”
What part of speech is “beaver”?
Depending on how it is used, “beaver” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “beaver” come from?
The word “beaver” comes from Old English.
Is “beaver” a common word?
“Beaver” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “beaver” have?
“Beaver” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood.
What is the difference between a beaver and an otter?
Beavers are large semi-aquatic rodents known for gnawing down trees and building dams, while otters are members of the weasel family that don't build dams and primarily eat fish. Beavers are herbivores focused on construction, whereas otters are agile aquatic predators.
Why are beavers known for building dams?
Beavers gnaw down trees and use the wood to construct dams and lodges, altering waterways to create ponds that protect their homes from predators. This dam-building behavior is one of the species' most distinctive traits.
