raccoon
Raccoon (noun) means a nocturnal mammal native to the Americas, easily recognised by its grey-and-black fur, masked face, and ringed tail. Example: “A raccoon knocked over our bins again last night.”
How to use raccoon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA masked, ring-tailed nocturnal animal common across North America, well known for raiding rubbish bins.
Word forms
raccoons plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ knocked over our bins again last night.
Etymology
Borrowed from a Powhatan word describing the animal's habit of scratching or rubbing with its hands.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for raccoon
See all rhymes for raccoon →Frequently asked questions
What does “raccoon” mean?
The word “raccoon” means a nocturnal mammal native to the Americas, easily recognised by its grey-and-black fur, masked face, and ringed tail. In plain terms, a masked, ring-tailed nocturnal animal common across North America, well known for raiding rubbish bins.
How do you pronounce “raccoon”?
“Raccoon” is pronounced ruh-KOON (/ɹæˈkun/ in IPA).
How do you use “raccoon” in a sentence?
Here is “raccoon” used in a sentence: “A raccoon knocked over our bins again last night.”
What part of speech is “raccoon”?
“Raccoon” is a noun.
Is “raccoon” a common word?
“Raccoon” is an uncommon word in modern English.