vole

¹ American  

[vohl] / voʊl /

noun

1. any of several small mouselike or ratlike rodents of the genus Microtus and related genera, having short limbs and a short tail.

---

vole ² American  

[vohl] / voʊl /

noun

1. Cards. the winning by one player of all the tricks of a deal.

---

idioms

1. go the vole,

   1. to venture everything on the chance of great rewards.

   2. to try one after another, as a variety of occupations.

      He went the vole and finally settled on watchmaking.

vole ¹ British  

/ vəʊl /

noun

1. any of numerous small rodents of the genus Microtus and related genera, mostly of Eurasia and North America and having a stocky body, short tail, and inconspicuous ears: family Cricetidae See also water vole

---

vole ² British  

/ vəʊl /

noun

1. (in some card games, such as écarté) the taking of all the tricks in a deal, thus scoring extra points

---

Etymology

Origin of vole¹

1795–1805; short for volemouse field mouse, perhaps < Norwegian *vollmus, equivalent to voll field ( cf. wold ¹) + mus mouse

Origin of vole²

1670–80; < French, derivative of voler to fly < Latin volāre

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vole

"That means we've got evidence of breeding water vole which is brilliant," he continues on the subject of the flattened poo.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Prairie vole pairs are able to bond in the absence of oxytocin, though, indicating that other pathways may kick in.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

It is now hoped the success of water vole introduction in the area will lead to even more improved biodiversity along York's waterways.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2024

In 2018, a locally contracted case of vole fever was reported in Skåne, more than 500 km south of the previously known southernmost incidence of the disease in Sweden, which was north of Uppsala.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2024

The young mouse ran, pushing the vole in front of him and calling out: “Run, keep going, Mr. Vole! Try to make it to the woods and hide.”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques