noun
gerbil
JUR-bil/ˈdʒɜːrbɪl/
A small burrowing rodent often kept as a pet.
The gerbil sits at its burrow entrance in the deep bedding.
Etymology
The Arabic animal name yarbu lies behind gerbil. The supplied history traces the name but does not establish a deeper meaning connected with the rodent’s appearance or habits.
In context
Meet the gerbil. It has a compact body with soft, sandy brown fur, a creamy white belly, and large dark eyes. It's long, furry tail, often tipped with a tuft of darker hair, helps it balance.
More examples
- Our pet gerbil digs tunnels through its bedding.
- The gerbils gnaw on a cardboard tube.
- Wild gerbils live in burrows that shelter them from predators.
Forms
gerbil · gerbils
burrow noun — A tunnel or hole an animal digs.
Similar words
- rodent
- A broader term that includes gerbils, mice, rats, and squirrels.