English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

marten

MAH-tihn

Marten (noun) means a slender, carnivorous mammal related to weasels, prized historically for its soft fur. Example: “A marten darted along the branch and vanished into the pines.”

noun
1
A slender, carnivorous mammal related to weasels, prized historically for its soft fur.
"A marten darted along the branch and vanished into the pines."
"Trappers once hunted marten for their valuable pelts."

How to use marten

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, weasel-like forest animal known for its fur.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "martin," the bird — they sound identical but are unrelated animals.

Easily confused with

Word forms

martens plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “marten” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ darted along the branch and vanished into the pines.

Etymology

From Old French martrine ("marten fur"), ultimately from a Germanic word for the animal.

Origin: Old French

marten cat

Rhymes for marten

See all rhymes for marten →

Frequently asked questions

What does “marten” mean?

The word “marten” means a slender, carnivorous mammal related to weasels, prized historically for its soft fur. In plain terms, a small, weasel-like forest animal known for its fur.

How do you pronounce “marten”?

“Marten” is pronounced MAH-tihn (/ˈmɑɹ.tən/ in IPA).

How do you use “marten” in a sentence?

Here is “marten” used in a sentence: “A marten darted along the branch and vanished into the pines.”

What part of speech is “marten”?

“Marten” is a noun.

Where does the word “marten” come from?

The word “marten” comes from Old French. From Old French martrine ("marten fur"), ultimately from a Germanic word for the animal.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial