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noun Uncommon

reindeer

RAYN-deer

Reindeer (noun) means a large deer of Arctic and subarctic regions, known for its antlers and its role pulling sleighs. Example: “Herds of reindeer migrate across the tundra each year.”

noun
1
A large deer of Arctic and subarctic regions, known for its antlers and its role pulling sleighs.
"Herds of reindeer migrate across the tundra each year."
"In the story, Santa's sleigh is pulled by nine reindeer."

How to use reindeer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe Arctic deer famous for its antlers and its link to Christmas sleighs.

Common mistake

The plural is usually "reindeer," not "reindeers."

Easily confused with

Word forms

reindeered past tense, reindeer plural, reindeers plural, reindeers singular

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Test yourself on “reindeer” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Herds of _____ migrate across the tundra each year.

Etymology

From Old Norse hreinn ("reindeer") plus dýr ("animal") — unrelated to the word "rein" used for horses.

Origin: Old Norse

Rhymes for reindeer

See all rhymes for reindeer →

Frequently asked questions

What does “reindeer” mean?

The word “reindeer” means a large deer of Arctic and subarctic regions, known for its antlers and its role pulling sleighs. In plain terms, the Arctic deer famous for its antlers and its link to Christmas sleighs.

How do you pronounce “reindeer”?

“Reindeer” is pronounced RAYN-deer (/ˈɹeɪndɪɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “reindeer” in a sentence?

Here is “reindeer” used in a sentence: “Herds of reindeer migrate across the tundra each year.”

What part of speech is “reindeer”?

“Reindeer” is a noun.

Where does the word “reindeer” come from?

The word “reindeer” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse hreinn ("reindeer") plus dýr ("animal") — unrelated to the word "rein" used for horses.

Is “reindeer” a common word?

“Reindeer” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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