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noun Uncommon

raccoon

ruh-KOON
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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.”

noun
1
A nocturnal mammal native to the Americas, easily recognised by its grey-and-black fur, masked face, and ringed tail.
"A raccoon knocked over our bins again last night."
"Raccoons are known for their clever, dexterous front paws."

How to use raccoon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA masked, ring-tailed nocturnal animal common across North America, well known for raiding rubbish bins.

Common pairings
trash panda (informal) raccoon tracks
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Word forms

Plural
raccoons
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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.

racoon

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.