deer

American  

[deer] / dɪər /

noun

plural

deer,

plural

deers

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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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

Example Sentences

“I haven’t really spent any time there. If I’m not swimming, I’m taking care of the animals. There isn’t much time for exploring. I suppose the refuge has birds, gators, deer, snakes … Florida things.”

From Literature

There are hunters in the woods and they heard us move and they’ve mistaken us for deer or pheasant.

From Literature

Takaichi grew up in the Japanese prefecture of Nara, a mountainous region and home to an ancient capital where sacred deer roam parks and temples.

From The Wall Street Journal

Per the plan conceived by the Catalina Island Conservancy, professional hunters will shoot the island’s non-native mule deer on the ground over four to five years.

From Los Angeles Times

Animals, like pocket gophers, deer mice, shrews, voles, and other small mammals, were still in their winter burrows.

From Literature