beaver
Beaver (noun) means a large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood. Example: “A family of beavers had dammed the stream, flooding part of the meadow.”
How to use beaver
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the dam-building animal, or (as a verb) working hard and busily at something.
"Beaver away at" is a common British idiom for working diligently, especially on a long or tedious task.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
beavered past tense, Beavers plural, Beavers plural, beavers singular
Fill the gap
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A family of _____ had dammed the stream, flooding part of the meadow.
Etymology
From Old English befer, going back to a very old Germanic and Indo-European root for the animal, related to words like Dutch bever and German Biber. The verb sense ("beaver away") comes from the animal's reputation for tireless, industrious work.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for beaver
See all rhymes for beaver →Frequently asked questions
What does “beaver” mean?
The word “beaver” means a large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood. In plain terms, either the dam-building animal, or (as a verb) working hard and busily at something.
How do you pronounce “beaver”?
“Beaver” is pronounced BEE-vuh (/ˈbivɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “beaver” in a sentence?
Here is “beaver” used in a sentence: “A family of beavers had dammed the stream, flooding part of the meadow.”
What part of speech is “beaver”?
Depending on how it is used, “beaver” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “beaver” come from?
The word “beaver” comes from Old English.
Is “beaver” a common word?
“Beaver” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “beaver” have?
“Beaver” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood.
What is the difference between a beaver and an otter?
Beavers are large semi-aquatic rodents known for gnawing down trees and building dams, while otters are members of the weasel family that don't build dams and primarily eat fish. Beavers are herbivores focused on construction, whereas otters are agile aquatic predators.
Why are beavers known for building dams?
Beavers gnaw down trees and use the wood to construct dams and lodges, altering waterways to create ponds that protect their homes from predators. This dam-building behavior is one of the species' most distinctive traits.
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