Words / A1

SKWIR-uh-l/ˈskwɪrəl/

A squirrel is a small wild animal with a big bushy tail that lives in trees and eats nuts. Countable: a squirrel, squirrels. A rabbit lives in a hole in the ground and has long ears; a mouse is smaller with a thin tail. Mix-up: squirrel vs square (a shape) — different ending; and squirrel vs swirl (a twist).

Meaning

A small wild animal with a big bushy tail that lives in trees and eats nuts.

Examples

• “The squirrel hid a nut in the grass.”
• “The squirrel ran up the oak tree.”
• “Do not chase the squirrel — it will climb away.”

Good to know

a squirrel (bushy tail, trees, nuts). Contrast: rabbit (hole, long ears), mouse (thin tail). Mix-up: square.

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