noun
gopher
GOH-fuh
Gopher (noun) means a small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems. Example: “The gopher tunneled straight under the vegetable patch.”
noun
1
A small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems.
"The gopher tunneled straight under the vegetable patch."
"Farmers set traps to keep gophers out of the field."
2
(informal) A person who runs errands for someone else.
"As the new intern, he spent his first week as office gopher."
How to use gopher
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the burrowing rodent, or (informally) someone sent to 'go for' things — fetch and carry — for other people.
Common mistake
The 'errand runner' sense is a pun on 'go for' and is unrelated to the animal's actual etymology.
Common pairings
gopher hole
office gopher
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Word forms
- Plural
- gophers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ tunneled straight under the vegetable patch.
Etymology
Possibly from Cajun French gaufre ("honeycomb, waffle"), the idea being that a gopher's network of burrows looks like the holes in a honeycomb or waffle.
Synonyms
View more →
goffer
Minnesotan
spermophile
pouched rat
pocket gopher
gopher turtle
ground squirrel
gopher tortoise
Related words
Rhymes for gopher
See all rhymes for gopher →Frequently asked questions
What does “gopher” mean?
The word “gopher” means a small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems. In plain terms, either the burrowing rodent, or (informally) someone sent to 'go for' things — fetch and carry — for other people.
How do you pronounce “gopher”?
“Gopher” is pronounced GOH-fuh (/ˈɡoʊfɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gopher” in a sentence?
Here is “gopher” used in a sentence: “The gopher tunneled straight under the vegetable patch.”
What part of speech is “gopher”?
“Gopher” is a noun.
Where does the word “gopher” come from?
The word “gopher” comes from French. Possibly from Cajun French gaufre ("honeycomb, waffle"), the idea being that a gopher's network of burrows looks like the holes in a honeycomb or waffle.
How many meanings does “gopher” have?
“Gopher” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small burrowing rodent native to North America, known for digging extensive tunnel systems.
