ferret

[ fer-it ]

/ ˈfɛr ɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: ferret / ferreted / ferreting / ferreter on Thesaurus.com

noun

a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.

black-footed ferret.

verb (used with object)

to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed by out): to ferret rabbits from their burrows;to ferret out enemies.

to hunt with ferrets.

to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field.

to search out, discover, or bring to light (often followed by out): to ferret out the facts.

to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night.

verb (used without object)

to search about.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of ferret

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English feret, furet, from Middle French furet, fuiret, from Vulgar Latin furittus (unrecorded), equivalent to fūr “thief” + -ittus -et

OTHER WORDS FROM ferret

fer·ret·er, nounfer·ret·y, adjectiveun·fer·ret·ed, adjectiveun·fer·ret·ing, adjective

Other definitions for ferret (2 of 2)

ferret²

[ fer-it ]

/ ˈfɛr ɪt /

noun

a narrow tape or ribbon, as of silk or cotton, used for binding, trimming, etc.

Origin of ferret

First recorded in 1570–80; alteration of Italian fioretto “floss silk,” literally, “little flower,” equivalent to fior(e) + -etto diminutive ending; see flower,-et

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ferret in a sentence

To test the nasal spray, researchers used ferrets, which were chosen because they can catch viruses through their noses like humans.
The CDC released a COVID-19 test knowing it had a high failure rate|Rachael Zisk|November 9, 2020|Popular-Science
It’s worth noting that this is a very small sample size, as only six ferrets received the treatment.
The CDC released a COVID-19 test knowing it had a high failure rate|Rachael Zisk|November 9, 2020|Popular-Science
The Maidan people constantly interrupted her speech on the pretext of ferreting out ‘provocateurs’ from the crowd.
Occupy Kiev: What Should Ukraine Do Now With The Heroes of the Maidan?|Vijai Maheshwari|February 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This dreamer could be seen daily ferreting around the Quarter for a studio always bigger than the one he had.
The Real Latin Quarter|F. Berkeley Smith

A village poacher, ferreting on the hillside, chanced to see her, as she lay not far off in a patch of clover.
Creatures of the Night|Alfred W. Rees
In any case, he is very well informed of all that goes on here, and clever at ferreting out new information.
Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino v.2/3, 1836-1840|Duchesse De Dino
But I want to have as little to do with spying and ferreting as possible.
The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill|John T. McIntyre
People hid their most precious books from the ferreting eyes of the inquisitioners in baking ovens, cellars, and caves.
Bohemia under Hapsburg Misrule|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ferret (1 of 2)

ferret¹

/ (ˈfɛrɪt) /

noun

a domesticated albino variety of the polecat Mustela putorius, bred for hunting rats, rabbits, etc

an assiduous searcher

black-footed ferret a musteline mammal, Mustela nigripes, of W North America, closely related to the weasels

verb -rets, -reting or -reted

to hunt (rabbits, rats, etc) with ferrets

(tr usually foll by out) to drive from hidingto ferret out snipers

(tr usually foll by out) to find by persistent investigation

(intr) to search around

Derived forms of ferret

ferreter, nounferrety, adjective

Word Origin for ferret

C14: from Old French furet, from Latin fur thief

British Dictionary definitions for ferret (2 of 2)

ferret²

ferreting

/ (ˈfɛrɪt) /

noun

silk binding tape

Word Origin for ferret

C16: from Italian fioretti floss silk, plural of fioretto : a little flower, from fiore flower, from Latin flōs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ferret

Origin of ferret

OTHER WORDS FROM ferret

Other definitions for ferret (2 of 2)

Origin of ferret

Words related to ferret

How to use ferret in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ferret (1 of 2)

Derived forms of ferret

Word Origin for ferret

British Dictionary definitions for ferret (2 of 2)

ferreting

Word Origin for ferret