ermine

noun

er·​mine ˈər-mən 

plural ermines

1

or plural ermine

a

: any of several weasels whose coats become white in winter usually with black on the tip of the tail

especially : a weasel (Mustela erminea) chiefly of northern Eurasia and North America that has a short tail, is found in varied habitats (such as forest, grassland, and tundra), and preys especially on small mammals (such as voles and mice) : short-tailed weasel, stoat

b

: the white fur of the ermine

2

: a rank or office whose ceremonial or official robe is ornamented with ermine

Illustration of ermine

• winter coat

Examples of ermine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Others, meanwhile, took notice of the speedy critter’s unique shape and coloring, and correctly identified it as an ermine. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025

Its name is said to come from the idea that the frosting is as silky as an ermine's white fur. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024

In June 2023, Theo Bosboom heard about an explosive proliferation of willow ermine moth caterpillars along the river Waal near Boven-Leeuwen, Netherlands, not far from his hometown. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

As the Pages of Honor knelt to adjust the ermine and velvet robe, one reached for a section of the robe by the monarch's hand before pulling away. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French hermin, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German harmo weasel

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for ermine

• birman
• burman
• firman
• german
• kirman
• sermon
• spermine
• termen
• termine
• vermin
• determine
• predetermine

Kids Definition

ermine

noun

er·​mine ˈər-mən 

plural ermine or ermines

1

: any of several weasels with black on the tail and a brown coat of fur which usually becomes white in the winter

2

: the white fur of an ermine