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ferret

fer·ret
F f

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [fer-it]
    • /ˈfɛr ɪt/
    • /ˈfer.ɪt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [fer-it]
    • /ˈfɛr ɪt/

Definitions of ferret word

  • noun ferret a narrow tape or ribbon, as of silk or cotton, used for binding, trimming, etc. 1
  • verb with object ferret to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often followed by out): to ferret rabbits from their burrows; to ferret out enemies. 1
  • verb with object ferret to hunt with ferrets. 1
  • verb with object ferret to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field. 1
  • verb with object ferret to search out, discover, or bring to light (often followed by out): to ferret out the facts. 1
  • verb with object ferret to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of ferret

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English fer(r)et(te), fyret, furet < Middle French furet < Vulgar Latin *furittus, equivalent to fūr thief (< Latin) + -ittus -et

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Ferret

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

ferret popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

ferret usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for ferret

verb ferret

  • shovel — an implement consisting of a broad blade or scoop attached to a long handle, used for taking up, removing, or throwing loose matter, as earth, snow, or coal.
  • forage — food for horses or cattle; fodder; provender.
  • probe — to search into or examine thoroughly; question closely: to probe one's conscience.
  • ransack — to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.): They ransacked the house for the missing letter.
  • unearth — to dig or get out of the earth; dig up.

noun ferret

  • detective — A detective is someone whose job is to discover what has happened in a crime or other situation and to find the people involved. Some detectives work in the police force and others work privately.
  • sleuth — a detective. Synonyms: investigator, private investigator; private eye, gumshoe, shamus.
  • meddler — to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly: Stop meddling in my personal life!
  • rubberneck — to look about or stare with great curiosity, as by craning the neck or turning the head.
  • eavesdropper — to listen secretly to a private conversation.

Antonyms for ferret

verb ferret

  • ignore — to refrain from noticing or recognizing: to ignore insulting remarks.
  • dirty — soiled with dirt; foul; unclean: dirty laundry.
  • hide — Informal. to administer a beating to; thrash.
  • laze — to idle or lounge lazily (often followed by around): I was too tired to do anything but laze around this weekend.
  • tinker — a mender of pots, kettles, pans, etc., usually an itinerant.

Top questions with ferret

  • what is a ferret?
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See also

Matching words

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