noun Common

warren

WO-ruhn

Warren (noun) means a network of interconnecting burrows where rabbits live. Example: “The field was riddled with an old rabbit warren.”

noun

A network of interconnecting burrows where rabbits live.

"The field was riddled with an old rabbit warren."

A confusing, maze-like place with many narrow passages or rooms, often crowded.

"The old quarter of the city was a warren of narrow alleyways."

How to use warren

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rabbit's burrow system, or, figuratively, a confusing maze of narrow streets or passages.

Common pairings

rabbit warren a warren of streets warren of tunnels

Word forms

warrens plural, Warrens plural

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The field was riddled with an old rabbit _____.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman warenne, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to guard" or "protect" — originally referring to land set aside and protected for keeping game like rabbits.

Origin: Germanic

Synonyms

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burrow maze labyrinth network tunnels

Related words

system network web net jail connections disorder tunnel

Rhymes for warren

barren Darren

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Frequently asked questions

What does “warren” mean?

The word “warren” means a network of interconnecting burrows where rabbits live. In plain terms, a rabbit's burrow system, or, figuratively, a confusing maze of narrow streets or passages.

How do you pronounce “warren”?

“Warren” is pronounced WO-ruhn (/ˈwɔɹən/ in IPA).

How do you use “warren” in a sentence?

Here is “warren” used in a sentence: “The field was riddled with an old rabbit warren.”

What part of speech is “warren”?

“Warren” is a noun.

Where does the word “warren” come from?

The word “warren” comes from Germanic. From Anglo-Norman warenne, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to guard" or "protect" — originally referring to land set aside and protected for keeping game like rabbits.

Is “warren” a common word?

“Warren” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “warren” have?

“Warren” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a network of interconnecting burrows where rabbits live.

What is the difference between a "warren" and a "burrow"?

A burrow is a single hole or tunnel dug by an animal, whereas a warren is a whole network of interconnecting burrows where rabbits live. In short, a warren is made up of many connected burrows.

What is a "rabbit warren"?

A rabbit warren is the underground network of connected burrows where a group of rabbits lives and shelters. The phrase is also used figuratively for any cramped, complicated layout that is hard to navigate.

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Words with germanic origins Words that start with W

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