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noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

beaver

BEE-vuh
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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.”

noun
1
A large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood.
"A family of beavers had dammed the stream, flooding part of the meadow."
"We watched a beaver carry a branch back to its lodge at dusk."
"Beavers can change the shape of a whole valley by building dams."
verb
1
To work hard and steadily at a task (usually "beaver away").
"She's been beavering away on her thesis all weekend."
"He beavered away in the garden until the sun went down."
"The students are beavering away in the library before their exams."

How to use beaver

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the dam-building animal, or (as a verb) working hard and busily at something.

Memory tip

"Beaver away at" is a common British idiom for working diligently, especially on a long or tedious task.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
otter →
Common pairings
beaver away at busy as a beaver a beaver dam
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Word forms

Third person singular
beavers
Past tense
beavered
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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toil slog grind away labor castor topper Oregonian stovepipe

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Rhymes for beaver

aver waver saver weaver shaver slaver braver Seaver cadaver cleaver lifesaver
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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