Meaning & use
a groundhog
Last updated
UK/əˈɡraʊndhɒɡ/
US/əˈɡraʊndhɔːɡ/
Meaning
nouncountable
A small brown animal that lives in underground holes and is common in North America.
Grammar: Countable noun: 'a groundhog', 'groundhogs'.
Patterns
- see a groundhog
- groundhog Day
We saw a groundhog near the edge of the field.
Groundhogs dig tunnels under gardens.
Every February, people gather to watch a groundhog predict the weather.
Word forms
| plural | groundhogs |
|---|
Common combinations
- Groundhog Day
- Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada.
- groundhog burrow
- The groundhog burrow was hidden under the shed.
- groundhog shadow
- According to tradition, if a groundhog sees its shadow, winter will last six more weeks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- woodchuck
- Woodchuck is another common name for the same animal, especially in American English.
Word family
Commonly confused: a groundhog or hedgehog? a groundhog or gopher?
a groundhog vs hedgehog
A hedgehog is a small spiny animal that rolls into a ball, while a groundhog is a larger rodent that digs burrows.
a groundhog vs gopher
A gopher is a different burrowing rodent, often smaller and with different habits.
Practice
What is a groundhog?
Choose one answer.
A groundhog is a small burrowing animal; it is not a bird, tool, or instrument.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a groundhog”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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