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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson apologized for the impasse saying, “I’m sorry we’re in this situation again, it’s like Groundhog Day in a way, the bad movie.”

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 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

But those above him do not speak about such things, so he is living a Groundhog Day existence on that front.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

I want to wake up every day, like that old movie Groundhog Day, and relive this day over and over again.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy