noun
mousetrap
MOWS-trap
Mousetrap (noun) means a device designed to catch or kill mice. Example: “He baited the mousetrap with a bit of cheese.”
noun
1
A device designed to catch or kill mice.
"He baited the mousetrap with a bit of cheese."
2
A website that opens endless new pop-ups or copies of itself when the user tries to close it.
"The shady site mousetrapped his browser with dozens of new tabs."
verb
1
To trick or trap someone into a bad situation.
"The salesman tried to mousetrap customers into a long-term contract."
How to use mousetrap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA trap for mice, or — online — a page that traps your browser.
Common pairings
set a mousetrap
mousetrap website
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Word forms
- Plural
- mousetraps
- Third person singular
- mousetraps
- Past tense
- mousetrapped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He baited the _____ with a bit of cheese.
Etymology
From Middle English mouse-trappe, a straightforward combination of "mouse" and "trap." The web-browser sense borrows the trap idea for a page that won't let you leave.
Synonyms
View more →
trap play
Frequently asked questions
What does “mousetrap” mean?
The word “mousetrap” means a device designed to catch or kill mice. In plain terms, a trap for mice, or — online — a page that traps your browser.
How do you pronounce “mousetrap”?
“Mousetrap” is pronounced MOWS-trap (/ˈmaʊsˌtɹæp/ in IPA).
How do you use “mousetrap” in a sentence?
Here is “mousetrap” used in a sentence: “He baited the mousetrap with a bit of cheese.”
What part of speech is “mousetrap”?
Depending on how it is used, “mousetrap” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mousetrap” come from?
The word “mousetrap” comes from Middle English. From Middle English mouse-trappe, a straightforward combination of "mouse" and "trap." The web-browser sense borrows the trap idea for a page that won't let you leave.
How many meanings does “mousetrap” have?
“Mousetrap” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device designed to catch or kill mice.
