gopher
8 synonyms for gopher, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
goffer
Minnesotan
spermophile
pouched rat
pocket gopher
gopher turtle
ground squirrel
gopher tortoise
How to use gopher
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
gopher hole
office gopher
Etymology
Possibly from Cajun French gaufre ("honeycomb, waffle"), the idea being that a gopher's network of burrows looks like the holes in a honeycomb or waffle.
Full origin of gopher →Frequently asked questions
What does “gopher” mean?
The word “gopher” means a small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems. In plain terms, either the burrowing rodent, or (informally) someone sent to 'go for' things — fetch and carry — for other people.
How do you pronounce “gopher”?
“Gopher” is pronounced GOH-fuh (/ˈɡoʊfɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gopher” in a sentence?
Here is “gopher” used in a sentence: “The gopher tunneled straight under the vegetable patch.”
What part of speech is “gopher”?
“Gopher” is a noun.
Where does the word “gopher” come from?
The word “gopher” comes from French. Possibly from Cajun French gaufre ("honeycomb, waffle"), the idea being that a gopher's network of burrows looks like the holes in a honeycomb or waffle.
How many meanings does “gopher” have?
“Gopher” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems.
Related words
gopher wood
