Words / A1

r-uh-KOON/rəˈkuːn/

A raccoon is a small wild animal with a black mask on its face and a striped tail. Countable: a raccoon, raccoons. A fox is also wild but has no mask or rings on its tail; a cat is a pet. Raccoons often wash food in water. Mix-up: racquet (old spelling of tennis racket) — different word.

Meaning

A small wild animal with a striped tail and a black mask on its face.

Examples

• “The raccoon is washing its food.”
• “Do not feed the raccoon from the picnic table.”
• “A raccoon knocked over the bin at night.”

Good to know

a raccoon (mask, striped tail). Contrast: fox (no mask), cat (pet). Mix-up: racquet.

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