fox

¹ American  

[foks] / fɒks /

noun

plural

foxes,

plural

fox

1. any of several carnivores of the dog family, especially those of the genus Vulpes, smaller than wolves, having a pointed, slightly upturned muzzle, erect ears, and a long, bushy tail.

2. the fur of this animal.

3. a cunning or crafty person.

4. Fox a member of a tribe of North American Algonquian Indians, formerly in Wisconsin, later merged with the Sauk tribe.

5. Fox the Algonquian language of the Fox, Sauk, and Kickapoo Indians.

6. Bible. a scavenger, perhaps the jackal.

7. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter F: replaced by Foxtrot.

8. Slang. an attractive young woman or young man.

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verb (used with object)

1. to deceive or trick.

2. to repair or make (a shoe) with leather or other material applied so as to cover or form part of the upper front.

3. Obsolete. to intoxicate or befuddle.

verb (used without object)

1. to act cunningly or craftily.

2. (of book leaves, prints, etc.) to become foxed.

Fox ² American  

[foks] / fɒks /

noun

1. Charles James, 1749–1806, British orator and statesman.

2. George, 1624–91, English religious leader and writer: founder of the Society of Friends.

3. John. John Foxe.

4. John William, Jr., 1863–1919, U.S. novelist.

5. Margaret, 1833–93, and her sister Katherine (“Kate” ), 1839–92, U.S. spiritualist mediums, born in Canada.

6. Sir William, 1812–93, New Zealand statesman, born in England: prime minister 1856, 1861–62, 1869–72, 1873.

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fox ¹ British  

/ fɒks /

noun

1. any canine mammal of the genus Vulpes and related genera. They are mostly predators that do not hunt in packs and typically have large pointed ears, a pointed muzzle, and a bushy tail

2. the fur of any of these animals, usually reddish-brown or grey in colour

3. a person who is cunning and sly

4. slang a sexually attractive woman

5. Bible

   1. a jackal

   2. an image of a false prophet

6. nautical small stuff made from yarns twisted together and then tarred

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verb

1. (tr) to perplex or confound

   to fox a person with a problem

2. to cause (paper, wood, etc) to become discoloured with spots, or (of paper, etc) to become discoloured, as through mildew

3. (tr) to trick; deceive

4. (intr) to act deceitfully or craftily

5. informal (tr) to pursue stealthily; tail

6. informal (tr) to chase and retrieve (a ball)

7. obsolete (tr) to befuddle with alcoholic drink

Fox ² British  

/ fɒks /

noun

1. Charles James . 1749–1806, British Whig statesman and orator. He opposed North over taxation of the American colonies and Pitt over British intervention against the French Revolution. He advocated parliamentary reform and the abolition of the slave trade

2. George . 1624–91, English religious leader; founder (1647) of the Society of Friends (Quakers)

3. Terry , full name Terrance Stanley Fox (1958–81). Canadian athlete: he lost a leg to cancer and subsequently attempted a coast-to-coast run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research

4. Vicente ( Spanish viˈθɛnte). born 1942, Mexican politician; president of Mexico (2000-06)

5. Sir William . 1812–93, New Zealand statesman, born in England: prime minister of New Zealand (1856; 1861–62; 1869–72; 1873)

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Fox ³ British  

/ fɒks /

noun

1. a member of a North American Indian people formerly living west of Lake Michigan along the Fox River

2. the language of this people, belonging to the Algonquian family

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fox Idioms  

1. see crazy like a fox.

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Other Word Forms

• foxlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of fox

First recorded before 900; 1960–65 fox for def. 8; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old Saxon vohs, Middle Low German vos, Old High German fuhs ( German Fuchs ); vixen

Explanation

A fox is a small, dog-like wild animal with pointed ears and nose, and a thick tail. A red fox has dark front legs that look like little opera gloves. They’re sneaky, so a fox can also be a tricky person. There are different kinds of foxes, but they all have a reputation for sneaking around and stealing stuff. Because they’re known for being wily and smart, you can use the word fox to describe someone who's sly: "That old fox always manages to get other people to buy his lunch." Colloquially, a fox is also an attractive person. They say don’t let a fox guard the henhouse, even if the fox is really good looking.

Example Sentences

He’s concerned that perhaps the best part of Microsoft’s Copilot artificial-intelligence assistant leverages technology from Anthropic — a dynamic Reitzes likened to “letting the fox into the henhouse.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Once veterinarians give the 11-pound male fox a clean bill of health, zookeepers said they would be looking for a long-term home for the animal, which is said to be doing well.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

The reserve said it was the second year that the fox has chosen to rear her young on the island and wildlife photographer Brian Needham caught her dip on camera.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Translated from the Dutch by Michele Hutchison, “Snow Fox” follows Rana, an arctic fox who lives in the remote northern reaches of Svalbard, Norway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Normally, a fox cannot outrun a raging river.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

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