French word

écureuil

Pronunciation

IPA/ekyʁœj/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsquirrel

Example

Regarde l'écureuil sur l'arbre !

Look at the squirrel in the tree!

Illustration for écureuil (squirrel)

More examples

J'ai vu un écureuil près de la maison ce matin.

I saw a squirrel near the house this morning.

Core concept

A nimble park animal clinging to trunks, bounding through trees, and showing a prominent bushy tail.

Common phrases

  • voir un écureuil

    see a squirrel

  • la queue de l'écureuil

    the squirrel's tail

Similar words

souris: A very small mouse found in or around homes and other buildings.
oiseau: An animal with wings that flies and may perch in trees and sing.

Definition in French

Mammifère rongeur de petite taille, principalement arboricole, souvent rencontré dans les parcs et reconnaissable à sa queue fournie et à ses sauts agiles entre les branches.

Word origin

French écureuil developed from Old French escureuil, with the word ultimately inherited through Latin from Greek.

Usage tips

  • The plural écureuils is usually pronounced like the singular because the final plural s is silent.

Word lists with this word