noun
gerbil
JURBL
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.”
noun
1
A small, jumping, mouse-like rodent, often kept as a pet, native to Africa and parts of Asia and Europe.
"Her son begged for a gerbil after visiting the pet shop."
"Gerbils are popular pets because they are gentle and easy to handle."
How to use gerbil
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small furry rodent commonly kept as a pet, related to hamsters and jerboas.
Common pairings
pet gerbil
gerbil cage
gerbil wheel
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Word forms
- Plural
- gerbils
- Third person singular
- gerbils
- Past tense
- gerbiled, gerbilled
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
View more →Related words
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.
