wolverine

American  

[wool-vuh-reen, wool-vuh-reen] / ˌwʊl vəˈrin, ˈwʊl vəˌrin /

noun

wolverines plural

1. Also called carcajou.  a stocky, carnivorous North American mammal, Gulo luscus, of the weasel family, having blackish, shaggy hair with white markings.

2. (initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of Michigan (the Wolverine State) (used as a nickname).

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wolverine British  

/ ˈwʊlvəˌriːn /

noun

1. Also called: glutton.  a large musteline mammal, Gulo gulo, of northern forests of Eurasia and North America having dark very thick water-resistant fur

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wolverines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wolverine

1565–75; alteration of earlier wolvering (with -ine ² for -ing ³ ), obscure derivative of wolf

Explanation

A wolverine is a strong little animal, the largest member of the weasel family. You're most likely to see a wolverine if you go hiking in Alaska. Although they’re cute, don’t try to pet one. They are not cuddly. Wolverines are related to otters and badgers, but they're known as the fiercest weasels, able to fight and kill animals much larger than they are. Wolverines are dense and covered with shaggy fur, and because they resemble little bears — and mark their territories with a strong scent — they're sometimes called skunk bears. They weigh about 50 pounds. Wolverine was originally wolvering, which may come from the plural form of wolf, wolves, or possibly from wolver, "one who behaves like a wolf."

Example Sentences

Researchers noted that many apparent wolverine sightings were rejected because they did not satisfy strict documentation requirements.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

Without those exemptions, fuels-reduction projects that protect wolverine habitat from catastrophic fire would grind to a halt, directly threatening the species.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

In fact, they said, a close relative was a big fan of wild animals that had been stuffed and mounted — they had mountain lions, a wolverine and wolves in a “trophy room.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2025

"I saw the wolverine picture on the surface and I thought it was going to be in the cave and eat us."

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

At the foot of a beech tree, he found a pile of wolverine droppings: twisted, hairy, and so foul-smelling that they made his eyes water.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver