Ferret Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈfɛɹət/

FAIR-uht

UK

/fˈɛɹɪt/

FER-it

Definition

A small, slender animal related to the weasel, often kept as a pet. As a verb, it means to search for something in a determined or thorough way, especially to reveal hidden facts.

Usage & Nuances

"Ferret" as a noun is common for the animal; as a verb (to ferret out), it's usually informal and means to uncover information, e.g., "ferret out the truth." Rare in formal writing. Noun and verb are unrelated in day-to-day meaning.

• Spanish: hurón - buscar (informal: investigar)
• Portuguese (BR): furão - procurar (sentido figurado: investigar)
• Portuguese (PT): furão - procurar (sentido figurado: investigar)
• Chinese (Simplified): 雪貂 - 搜寻（比喻义：查找，调查）
• Chinese (Traditional): 雪貂 - 搜尋（比喻義：查找，調查）
• Hindi: नेवला - खोजबीन करना (अनौपचारिक)
• Arabic: ابن عرس - بحث (بالمجاز: التحري أو التفتيش)
• Bengali: ফেরেট (প্রাণী) - খুঁজে বের করা (ক্রিয়া)
• Russian: хорёк - искать, выискивать
• Japanese: フェレット - 探し出す
• Vietnamese: chồn sương - tìm kiếm (một cách kỹ lưỡng)
• Korean: 페럿 - 캐내다 (비밀 등)
• Turkish: dağ gelinciği - araştırmak (gizli bir şeyi)
• Urdu: فیرٹ (جانور) - چھان بین کرنا
• Indonesian: feret - menyelidiki

Example Sentences

A ferret is a playful pet.

basic

Can I hold your ferret?

basic

She used a flashlight to ferret out the keys under the sofa.

basic

Reporters tried to ferret out the truth behind the story.

natural

After hours of searching, he managed to ferret out some old photos from the attic.

natural

He’s like a ferret when it comes to digging up secrets.

natural