squirrel

[ skwur-uh l, skwuhr- or, esp. British, skwir-uh l ]

/ ˈskwɜr əl, ˈskwʌr- or, esp. British, ˈskwɪr əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squirrel ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural squir·rels, (especially collectively) squir·rel.

any of numerous arboreal, bushy-tailed rodents of the genus Sciurus, of the family Sciuridae.

any of various other members of the family Sciuridae, as the chipmunks, flying squirrels, and woodchucks.

the meat of such an animal.

the pelt or fur of such an animal: a coat trimmed with squirrel.

verb (used with object), squir·reled, squir·rel·ing or (especially British) squir·relled, squir·rel·ling.

to store or hide (money, valuables, etc.), usually for the future (often followed by away): I've squirreled away a few dollars for an emergency.

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Words related to squirrel

save, treasure, hide, collect, gather, stash, garner, cache, stockpile, deposit, keep, store, acquire, amass, scrimp

Words nearby squirrel

squiredom, squireen, squireling, squirm, squirmy, squirrel, squirrel away, squirrel cage, squirrel corn, squirrel monkey, squirrel's-foot fern

Origin of squirrel

1325–75; Middle English squirel < Anglo-French escuirel (Old French escuireul) ≪ Vulgar Latin *scūrellus, *scūriolus, representing Latin sciurus (< Greek skíouros literally, shadow-tailed (ski(á) shadow + -ouros, adj. derivative of ourá tail); apparently so called because the tail was large enough to provide shade for the rest of the animal) with diminutive suffixes -ellus, -olus

OTHER WORDS FROM squirrel

squir·rel·ish, squir·rel·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for squirrel

Inside the squirrel suit, an intern named Justin can be found.
The RNC Chases Hillary Clinton With a Giant Orange Squirrel|Olivia Nuzzi|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Williams said the RNC has not decided on a sex or a name for the squirrel other than HRC Squirrel.
The RNC Chases Hillary Clinton With a Giant Orange Squirrel|Olivia Nuzzi|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, we see Mr. Rabbit in the woods crushing a squirrel to death with his bare hands.
‘Banshee,’ Cinemax’s Deliciously Over-the-Top Carnival of Sex and Violence, Is Must-See TV|Marlow Stern|January 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, Vegard wore a squirrel costume and Bard wore a bear costume.
Ylvis, the Duo of 'The Fox,' Shares Some (Angry) Fox Sounds You Haven't Heard|Anna Brand|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Coy readers should heed the lesson learned by the young woman in “The Squirrel.”
Read This and Blush: Naughty Medieval French Tales|Yunte Huang|June 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Tom opened up a squirrel's store, and a pretty noise the little creature made about it.
Crusoes of the Frozen North|Gordon Stables
The teeth, and indeed the whole contour, resemble those of the squirrel.
Oregon and Eldorado|Thomas Bulfinch
The Hare and Squirrel occur together on a sign at Nuneaton; what the combination means it is difficult to surmise.
The History of Signboards|Jacob Larwood
"The squirrel's done it," whispered the girl after the opening scene.
Merton of the Movies|Harry Leon Wilson
Mr. Pennant says, that this snake will frequently lie at the bottom of a tree, on which a squirrel is seated.
Ten Thousand Wonderful Things|Edmund Fillingham King

British Dictionary definitions for squirrel

squirrel

/ (ˈskwɪrəl, US ˈskwɜːrəl, ˈskwʌr-) /

noun plural -rels or -rel

any arboreal sciurine rodent of the genus Sciurus, such as S. vulgaris (red squirrel) or S. carolinensis (grey squirrel), having a bushy tail and feeding on nuts, seeds, etcRelated adjective: sciurine

any other rodent of the family Sciuridae, such as a ground squirrel or a marmot

the fur of such an animal

informal a person who hoards things

verb -rels, -relling or -relled or esp US -rels, -reling or -reled

(tr usually foll by away) informal to store for future use; hoard

Derived forms of squirrel

squirrel-like, adjective

Word Origin for squirrel

C14: from Old French esquireul, from Late Latin sciūrus, from Greek skiouros, from skia shadow + oura tail

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