vermin
word
/ˈvɝmɪn/
/vˈɜːmɪn/
Definition
Small animals or insects that cause harm, spread disease, or damage food or property. 'Vermin' can also be used insultingly to refer to people considered unpleasant.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used in agriculture, pest control, or hygiene topics. Formal or literary in modern English; sounds harsh when describing people and is typically used as an insult. Collocates with 'infested', 'control', and 'eliminate'.
Spanish: alimañas - sabandijasPortuguese (BR): pragas - vermesPortuguese (PT): pragas - vermesChinese (Simplified): 害虫 - 害兽Chinese (Traditional): 害蟲 - 害獸Hindi: कीट - हानिकारक जानवरArabic: الآفات - الحشرات الضارةBengali: ক্ষতিকারক পোকামাকড় - কীটRussian: вредители - паразитыJapanese: 害獣 - 害虫Vietnamese: sâu bọ - động vật gây hạiKorean: 해충 - 해로운 동물Turkish: zararlı haşarat - zararlı hayvanlarUrdu: کیڑے - نقصان دہ جانورIndonesian: hama - binatang pengganggu
Example Sentences
The old house was full of vermin.
basic
Farmers must control vermin to protect their crops.
basic
Rats and mice are common types of vermin.
basic
After the flood, the basement became a haven for vermin.
natural
Many city dwellers complain about vermin in their apartments.
natural
He called those cheating politicians a bunch of vermin.
natural