varmint
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for varmint, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A wild animal considered a pest, especially one that threatens crops or livestock.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
A dialect variant of "vermin," which traces back to Latin vermis, "worm." It became strongly associated with rural American English, especially in hunting contexts.
Full origin of varmint →Frequently asked questions
What does “varmint” mean?
The word “varmint” means a wild animal considered a pest, especially one that threatens crops or livestock. In plain terms, a varmint is a pest animal — or, jokingly, a mischievous person — and the word has a distinctly rural, folksy feel.
How do you pronounce “varmint”?
“Varmint” is pronounced VAH-mihnt (/ˈvɑɹmɪnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “varmint” in a sentence?
Here is “varmint” used in a sentence: “The rancher set traps for the varmints raiding the henhouse.”
What part of speech is “varmint”?
“Varmint” is a noun.
Where does the word “varmint” come from?
The word “varmint” comes from Latin. A dialect variant of "vermin," which traces back to Latin vermis, "worm." It became strongly associated with rural American English, especially in hunting contexts.
How many meanings does “varmint” have?
“Varmint” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wild animal considered a pest, especially one that threatens crops or livestock.