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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- martens
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.
Synonyms
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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.
