Groundhog Day

American  

noun

1. February 2, in most parts of the U.S., the day on which, according to legend, the groundhog first emerges from hibernation. If it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, six more weeks of wintry weather are predicted.

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Groundhog Day British  

noun

1. (in the US and Canada) February 2nd, when, according to tradition, the groundhog emerges from hibernation; if it sees its shadow, it returns to its burrow for six weeks as a sunny day indicates a late spring, while a cloudy day would mean an early spring

2. a situation in which events are or appear to be continually repeated

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Groundhog Day Cultural  

1. February 2. According to the legend of Groundhog Day, if a groundhog (a woodchuck) comes out of his hole on that day and sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow. If no shadow appears, there will be an early spring.

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Etymology

Origin of Groundhog Day

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Groundhog Day

Now it is like Groundhog Day, with a new lower court trial that will essentially start from scratch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

“We thought it was incredibly expensive … but it’s like Groundhog Day over and over again, just ratcheting up.”

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 28, 2026

The "Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011" impacted four regions and reached Category 5 intensity in the Ohio Valley and Category 3 in the South.

From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026

Movie producers, directors and studio executives are about to commence their annual lightning bottling ceremony — Tinseltown’s version of Groundhog Day.

From Salon ● Jan. 4, 2026

“You know the worst part of this? I bet tolerance education isn’t over anymore. It’s going to be like Groundhog Day, where every morning it starts over again.”

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

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