noun
ferret
FEH-riht
Ferret (noun) means a small, slender, domesticated relative of the weasel, sometimes used to hunt rabbits and other burrowing animals. Example: “He keeps two pet ferrets that love to explore tunnels made of cardboard tubes.”
noun
1
A small, slender, domesticated relative of the weasel, sometimes used to hunt rabbits and other burrowing animals.
"He keeps two pet ferrets that love to explore tunnels made of cardboard tubes."
2
A person who searches persistently and thoroughly.
"She's a real ferret when it comes to tracking down bargains."
verb
1
To search persistently until something hidden is found (usually "ferret out").
"Investigators ferreted out the truth after months of digging."
"He ferreted out an old photograph buried in the attic."
How to use ferret
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the small weasel-like animal, or (as a verb) digging persistently to uncover something hidden.
Common pairings
ferret out the truth
pet ferret
ferret out information
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Word forms
- Plural
- ferrets
- Third person singular
- ferrets
- Past tense
- ferreted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He keeps two pet _____ that love to explore tunnels made of cardboard tubes.
Etymology
From Old French furet, from Vulgar Latin furittum, "little thief" — a nod to the animal's sly, thieving reputation.
Synonyms
View more →
ferret out
black-footed ferret
Frequently asked questions
What does “ferret” mean?
The word “ferret” means a small, slender, domesticated relative of the weasel, sometimes used to hunt rabbits and other burrowing animals. In plain terms, either the small weasel-like animal, or (as a verb) digging persistently to uncover something hidden.
How do you pronounce “ferret”?
“Ferret” is pronounced FEH-riht (/ˈfɛɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ferret” in a sentence?
Here is “ferret” used in a sentence: “He keeps two pet ferrets that love to explore tunnels made of cardboard tubes.”
What part of speech is “ferret”?
Depending on how it is used, “ferret” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ferret” come from?
The word “ferret” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French furet, from Vulgar Latin furittum, "little thief" — a nod to the animal's sly, thieving reputation.
How many meanings does “ferret” have?
“Ferret” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, slender, domesticated relative of the weasel, sometimes used to hunt rabbits and other burrowing animals.
