lemming
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for lemming, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small rodent found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, known for periodic dramatic population swings.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lemming
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Norwegian and Danish lemming, ultimately from Old Norse. Sense 2 comes from a persistent myth that lemmings mindlessly march off cliffs in large groups — they don't, but the story stuck.
Full origin of lemming →Frequently asked questions
What does “lemming” mean?
The word “lemming” means a small rodent found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, known for periodic dramatic population swings. In plain terms, literally an Arctic rodent, but commonly used to describe someone who follows the crowd without thinking.
How do you pronounce “lemming”?
“Lemming” is pronounced lehm-ihng (/lɛm.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lemming” in a sentence?
Here is “lemming” used in a sentence: “Lemming populations can boom and then crash within a few years.”
What is another word for “lemming”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lemming” include sable mouse.
What part of speech is “lemming”?
“Lemming” is a noun.
Where does the word “lemming” come from?
The word “lemming” comes from Old Norse. From Norwegian and Danish lemming, ultimately from Old Norse. Sense 2 comes from a persistent myth that lemmings mindlessly march off cliffs in large groups — they don't, but the story stuck.
How many meanings does “lemming” have?
“Lemming” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small rodent found in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, known for periodic dramatic population swings.