ermine
2 synonyms for ermine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small weasel found in cold northern regions, whose brown fur turns white in winter except for a black-tipped tail.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
stoat
short-tailed weasel
How to use ermine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
trimmed with ermine
ermine robe
Etymology
From Old French ermine, possibly from a Germanic word for the weasel or linked to the word for "Armenian," since traders once associated the fur with Armenia.
Full origin of ermine →Frequently asked questions
What does “ermine” mean?
The word “ermine” means a small weasel found in cold northern regions, whose brown fur turns white in winter except for a black-tipped tail. In plain terms, a small white-furred weasel, or the luxurious fur itself, traditionally linked to royal and judicial robes.
How do you pronounce “ermine”?
“Ermine” is pronounced UR-mihn (/ˈɝmɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “ermine” in a sentence?
Here is “ermine” used in a sentence: “The ermine's white winter coat makes it almost invisible in the snow.”
What is another word for “ermine”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ermine” include stoat and short-tailed weasel.
What part of speech is “ermine”?
“Ermine” is a noun.
Where does the word “ermine” come from?
The word “ermine” comes from Old French. From Old French ermine, possibly from a Germanic word for the weasel or linked to the word for "Armenian," since traders once associated the fur with Armenia.
How many meanings does “ermine” have?
“Ermine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small weasel found in cold northern regions, whose brown fur turns white in winter except for a black-tipped tail.
