noun
Uncommon
weasel
WEEZL
Weasel (noun) means a small, slender carnivorous mammal with a long body and short legs, related to the stoat and ferret. Example: “A weasel darted across the path and vanished into the hedge.”
noun
1
A small, slender carnivorous mammal with a long body and short legs, related to the stoat and ferret.
"A weasel darted across the path and vanished into the hedge."
2
A sneaky or deceitful person.
"He's a weasel who'll say anything to avoid blame."
verb
1
To get out of an obligation or gain something through evasive, dishonest means.
"She tried to weasel out of paying her share of the bill."
How to use weasel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small predatory animal, or informally, someone sneaky and untrustworthy.
Common pairings
weasel out of
weasel words
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Word forms
- Plural
- weasels
- Third person singular
- weasels
- Past tense
- weaselled, weaseled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ darted across the path and vanished into the hedge.
Etymology
From Old English weosule, an ancient Germanic word for the animal.
Rhymes for weasel
See all rhymes for weasel →Frequently asked questions
What does “weasel” mean?
The word “weasel” means a small, slender carnivorous mammal with a long body and short legs, related to the stoat and ferret. In plain terms, a small predatory animal, or informally, someone sneaky and untrustworthy.
How do you pronounce “weasel”?
“Weasel” is pronounced WEEZL (/ˈwizəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “weasel” in a sentence?
Here is “weasel” used in a sentence: “A weasel darted across the path and vanished into the hedge.”
What part of speech is “weasel”?
Depending on how it is used, “weasel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “weasel” come from?
The word “weasel” comes from Old English. From Old English weosule, an ancient Germanic word for the animal.
Is “weasel” a common word?
“Weasel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “weasel” have?
“Weasel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, slender carnivorous mammal with a long body and short legs, related to the stoat and ferret.
