fox

1 of 3

noun (1)

plural foxes also fox
1
a
: any of various carnivorous (see carnivorous sense 1) mammals (especially genus Vulpes) of the dog family related to but smaller than wolves with shorter legs, more pointed muzzle, large erect ears, and long bushy tail
b
: the fur of a fox
2
: a clever crafty person
He's a sly old fox.
3
: a good-looking young woman or man
4
archaic : sword

fox

2 of 3

verb

foxed; foxing; foxes

transitive verb

1
a
: to trick by ingenuity or cunning : outwit
b
: baffle
foxed by his behavior
2
obsolete : intoxicate

Fox

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
plural Fox or Foxes : a member of an Indigenous people formerly living in what is now Wisconsin
2
: the Algonquian language of the Fox, Sauk, and Kickapoo peoples

Examples of fox in a Sentence

Noun (1) He's a wily old fox. she's a real fox—smart, sassy, and sexy Verb They foxed me into telling the secret. The problem had us foxed!
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The most placid foxes were selected to breed the next generation. Lee Alan Dugatkin, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024 The county also confirmed the disease in eight skunks, two raccoons, two foxes and a dog, who also bit a person. Brooke Park, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
The speech also tackled an issue that has foxed previous governments: reforming the House of Lords. Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 July 2024 Raccoon: Raccoon is very similar to fox but rarely comes in any other colors besides that of a typical raccoon which is naturally ombré. Liana Satenstein, Marie Claire, 13 Feb. 2014 See all Example Sentences for fox 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German fuhs fox and perhaps to Sanskrit puccha tail

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fox was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fox

Cite this Entry

“Fox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fox. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fox

1 of 2 noun
plural foxes also fox
1
a
: any of various alert flesh-eating mammals related to the wolves but smaller and with shorter legs and a more pointed muzzle
b
: the fur of a fox
2
: a clever tricky person
3
: an attractive young woman or man

fox

2 of 2 verb
: outwit

Geographical Definition

Fox

geographical name

1
river 220 miles (354 kilometers) long in southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois flowing south into the Illinois River
2
river 175 miles (282 kilometers) long in eastern Wisconsin flowing northeast and north through Lake Winnebago into Green Bay

Biographical Definition

Fox 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Charles James 1749–1806 English statesman and orator

Fox

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

George 1624–1691 English preacher and founder of Society of Friends

More from Merriam-Webster on fox

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