fox

fox · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A carnivorous mammal of the dog family with a pointed muzzle, bushy tail, and typically reddish-brown fur, known for its cunning.

  2. 2.

    A cunning or sly person.

  3. 3.

    (Informal, dated) An attractive person, especially a woman.

  4. 4.

    (Verb) To deceive or trick someone.

Forms

plural: foxes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    sly as a fox — extremely cunning or crafty
  • •
    fox in the henhouse — a person in a position to exploit or harm those they should protect
  • •
    outfox — to defeat someone by being more clever
  • •
    fox hunting — the sport of hunting foxes with hounds

Related words

See also: cunning, sly, vixen, wolf
Synonyms: tod (archaic), vixen (female)

Etymology

From Old English fox, from Proto-Germanic fuhsaz, possibly meaning "the tailed one" or "bushy-tailed."