deer

American  

[deer] / dɪər /

noun

deer, plural deers plural

1. any of several ruminants of the family Cervidae, most of the males of which have solid, deciduous antlers.

2. any of the smaller species of this family, as distinguished from the moose, elk, etc.

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deer British  

/ dɪə /

noun

1. any ruminant artiodactyl mammal of the family Cervidae, including reindeer, elk, muntjacs, and roe deer, typically having antlers in the male

2. (in N Canada) another name for caribou

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• deer
  plural
• deers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of deer

before 900; Middle English der, Old English dēor beast; akin to Gothic dius beast, Old High German tior

Compare meaning

How does deer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• reindeer vs. deer
• caribou vs. deer

Explanation

A deer is a four-legged, hoofed animal with antlers. Disney’s Bambi is a famous deer. There are deer all over the world, but American deer are light brown, and are often found nibbling on plants at dusk. The main thing that distinguishes deer from other horned animals, like antelope, is that deer shed their antlers once a year and grow new ones. A female deer, called a "doe," has smaller antlers than the male, or "buck." The Old English root of deer, deor, means "beast" or "animal," and was originally used generally to refer to all four-legged wild animals.

Example Sentences

It is the rule against clichés—don’t beat dead horses, cry over spilled milk or freeze like a deer in the headlights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

The Buck Moon - named after the time male deer sprout new antlers - will rise on 29 July.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is spread through the bite of infected black-legged ticks — also known as deer ticks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

Japan university’s youngest student is a baby deer.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026

But then I remember that brief moment in the sun, the power of startling that deer, the delicious languor from a full belly, and it’s like the choice was made before we even started barking.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz