rat
rat
Rat (noun) means a rodent similar to a mouse but larger, often considered a pest. Example: “The cat caught a rat in the shed behind the house.”
noun
1
A rodent similar to a mouse but larger, often considered a pest.
"The cat caught a rat in the shed behind the house."
"Rats had gnawed through the sacks of grain in the barn."
"A rat scurried along the subway tracks."
verb
1
Informally, to inform on someone to the authorities; to betray someone's trust.
"He is going to rat us out!"
"Nobody wanted to rat on their classmate to the teacher."
"She ratted me out to our parents about the broken window."
"He ratted on his friends to avoid getting in trouble himself."
"He ratted on his coworker."
How to use rat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe rodent, or (informally) to snitch on someone.
Common pairings
rat on someone
rat race
smell a rat
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like rat.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- rats
- Third person singular
- rats
- Past tense
- ratted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat caught a _____ in the shed behind the house.
Etymology
From Old English ræt, of uncertain deeper origin, related to similar words across Germanic languages.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for rat
See all rhymes for rat →Frequently asked questions
What does “rat” mean?
The word “rat” means a rodent similar to a mouse but larger, often considered a pest. In plain terms, the rodent, or (informally) to snitch on someone.
How do you pronounce “rat”?
“Rat” is pronounced rat (/ɹæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “rat” in a sentence?
Here is “rat” used in a sentence: “A rat scurried along the subway tracks.”
What is another word for “rat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rat” include tell on, to finger, put the finger on and bewray.
What part of speech is “rat”?
Depending on how it is used, “rat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rat” come from?
The word “rat” comes from Old English. From Old English ræt, of uncertain deeper origin, related to similar words across Germanic languages.
Is “rat” a common word?
“Rat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “rat” have?
“Rat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rodent similar to a mouse but larger, often considered a pest.
What is the difference between a rat and a mouse?
Both are rodents, but a rat is generally larger than a mouse, with a longer body, a bigger head, and a thicker tail. Both are often regarded as pests, but they are distinct animals.
Why is calling someone a rat an insult?
Calling someone a rat labels them a betrayer or informer who cannot be trusted, drawing on the rodent's reputation as a pest. It is a strongly negative, informal insult.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include rat:
