noun
muskrat
MUHSK-rat
Muskrat (noun) means a large, semiaquatic North American rodent known for its musky smell and its dense, water-resistant fur. Example: “A muskrat slipped off the riverbank and vanished under the surface.”
noun
1
A large, semiaquatic North American rodent known for its musky smell and its dense, water-resistant fur.
"A muskrat slipped off the riverbank and vanished under the surface."
How to use muskrat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large rat-like animal that lives in and around water, named for its musky smell.
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Word forms
- Plural
- muskrats
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ slipped off the riverbank and vanished under the surface.
Etymology
Likely influenced by its musky odour and rat-like appearance, though the word may originally come from an Algonquian name that was reshaped to sound like "musk" and "rat."
Synonyms
View more →
musquash
muskrat fur
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “muskrat” mean?
The word “muskrat” means a large, semiaquatic North American rodent known for its musky smell and its dense, water-resistant fur. In plain terms, a large rat-like animal that lives in and around water, named for its musky smell.
How do you pronounce “muskrat”?
“Muskrat” is pronounced MUHSK-rat (/ˈmʌskɹæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “muskrat” in a sentence?
Here is “muskrat” used in a sentence: “A muskrat slipped off the riverbank and vanished under the surface.”
What part of speech is “muskrat”?
“Muskrat” is a noun.
