Meaning of the word weasel in English

What does weasel mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

weasel

US /ˈwiː.zəl/

UK /ˈwiː.zəl/

a small, slender carnivorous mammal with a long tail and reddish-brown fur, noted for its cunning and stealth

Example:

•

The farmer set traps to catch the weasel that was preying on his chickens.

•

The small weasel darted across the road and disappeared into the bushes.

Synonym:

stoat ermine

a deceitful or treacherous person

Example:

•

He's a real weasel, always trying to trick people out of their money.

•

Don't trust him; he's a known weasel.

Synonym:

deceiver trickster scoundrel snake rat

to equivocate or avoid a direct answer

Example:

•

Stop weaseling out of your responsibilities and face the consequences.

•

He tried to weasel his way out of the difficult conversation.

Synonym:

evade dodge fudge prevaricate equivocate

to manipulate or trick someone into doing something

Example:

•

She tried to weasel a confession out of him.

•

He managed to weasel his way into the exclusive club.

Synonym:

manipulate trick coax finagle wangle