gerbil
Gerbil (noun) means a small, jumping, mouse-like rodent, often kept as a pet, native to Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. Example: “Her son begged for a gerbil after visiting the pet shop.”
How to use gerbil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small furry rodent commonly kept as a pet, related to hamsters and jerboas.
Word forms
gerbiled past tense, gerbilled past tense, gerbils plural, gerbils singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her son begged for a _____ after visiting the pet shop.
Etymology
From French gerbille, tracing back through Latin to an Arabic word for the jerboa, a related desert rodent.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “gerbil” mean?
The word “gerbil” means a small, jumping, mouse-like rodent, often kept as a pet, native to Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. In plain terms, a small furry rodent commonly kept as a pet, related to hamsters and jerboas.
How do you pronounce “gerbil”?
“Gerbil” is pronounced JURBL (/ˈd͡ʒɝbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “gerbil” in a sentence?
Here is “gerbil” used in a sentence: “Her son begged for a gerbil after visiting the pet shop.”
What part of speech is “gerbil”?
“Gerbil” is a noun.
Where does the word “gerbil” come from?
The word “gerbil” comes from Latin. From French gerbille, tracing back through Latin to an Arabic word for the jerboa, a related desert rodent.