Pronunciation: /ˈfɛrɪt/

Definitions of ferret

noun a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows.

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a ferret at the pet store.

A2 The ferret is a small domesticated mammal.

B1 My neighbor has a ferret as a pet.

B2 Ferrets are known for their playful and curious nature.

C1 The ferret's agility and intelligence make it a popular choice for training.

C2 The ferret's sleek coat and whiskers give it a unique appearance.

verb to hunt with ferrets

Example Sentences

A1 She ferrets through her bag to find her keys.

A2 The detective ferreted out the truth about the missing money.

B1 I had to ferret out all the information from various sources.

B2 The journalist ferreted through the documents to uncover the scandal.

C1 The researcher ferreted through years of data to find patterns.

C2 The hacker ferreted into the company's database to steal sensitive information.

Examples of ferret in a Sentence

formal The zoologist conducted a study on the behavior of the ferret in its natural habitat.

informal I saw a cute ferret at the pet store today, it was so playful!

slang I heard that guy is a real ferret when it comes to finding deals at the thrift store.

figurative She has a knack for ferreting out the truth in any situation.

Grammatical Forms of ferret

past tense

ferreted

plural

ferrets

comparative

more ferret

superlative

most ferret

present tense

ferrets

future tense

will ferret

perfect tense

have ferreted

continuous tense

is ferreting

singular

ferret

positive degree

ferret

infinitive

to ferret

gerund

ferreting

participle

ferreting

Origin and Evolution of ferret

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Middle English, Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'ferret' originated from Middle English 'furet', from Old French 'furet', diminutive of 'furon' meaning 'thief'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to the domesticated polecat used for hunting rabbits, the term 'ferret' has evolved to also describe the animal itself as well as a verb meaning to search out or uncover something hidden or difficult to find.