fox
18 synonyms and 0 antonyms for fox, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, wild, dog-like mammal known for its pointed snout, bushy tail, and cunning reputation.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fox
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English fox, from a Proto-Germanic root possibly meaning "the tailed one."
Full origin of fox →Frequently asked questions
What does “fox” mean?
The word “fox” means a small, wild, dog-like mammal known for its pointed snout, bushy tail, and cunning reputation. In plain terms, a clever, wild canine — or, describing a person, someone sly or very attractive.
How do you pronounce “fox”?
“Fox” is pronounced foks (/fɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “fox” in a sentence?
Here is “fox” used in a sentence: “A fox slipped through the hedge at dusk.”
What part of speech is “fox”?
Depending on how it is used, “fox” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “fox” come from?
The word “fox” comes from Old English. From Old English fox, from a Proto-Germanic root possibly meaning "the tailed one.".
Is “fox” a common word?
“Fox” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “fox” have?
“Fox” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, wild, dog-like mammal known for its pointed snout, bushy tail, and cunning reputation.
Is a fox a dog or a cat?
Foxes belong to the dog family, Canidae, so they are more closely related to dogs, wolves, and coyotes than to cats. Even so, they show some cat-like traits, such as vertical-slit pupils, sensitive whiskers, and a mostly solitary hunting style, which is why people sometimes wonder which they resemble.
What is the difference between a fox and a wolf?
Both are wild members of the dog family, but a fox is far smaller and slighter, with a pointed snout and bushy tail, and it usually hunts alone. A wolf is large and lives and hunts in a pack. A wolf can weigh many times more than a fox.
What is a baby fox called?
A baby fox is called a kit, cub, or pup. The female is a vixen and the male is a dog fox or tod. Kits are born blind and helpless in spring, sheltering in a den and staying with their parents through summer before setting off on their own.
What is a group of foxes called?
A group of foxes is usually called a skulk or a leash. Because foxes are largely solitary and hunt alone, such gatherings are uncommon in the wild. The main exception is a family unit, where a male, a vixen, and their young share a den during the breeding season.
Why are foxes known for being cunning?
Foxes have long stood for slyness in folklore and fables, from Aesop to Reynard the Fox. The reputation reflects their real adaptability: they are resourceful hunters, quick to raid food, and clever at exploiting new surroundings, including towns and cities, where they thrive close to people.