squirrel
1 of 2noun
squir·rel ˈskwər(-ə)l 
ˈskwə-rəl,
chiefly British ˈskwir-əl
plural squirrels also squirrel
1
: any of various small or medium-sized rodents (family Sciuridae, the squirrel family): such as
a
: any of numerous New or Old World arboreal forms having a long bushy tail and strong hind legs
b
: ground squirrel
2
: the fur of a squirrel
squirrel
2 of 2verb
squirreled or squirrelled; squirreling or squirrelling
transitive verb
: to store up for future use —often used with away
squirrel away some money
Synonyms
Verb
- cache
- hoard
- lay away
- lay by
- lay in
- lay up
- put by
- salt away
- stash
- stockpile
- store
- stow
- treasure
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Terri Robertson, Country Living, 22 Aug. 2022 Devitz says that splooting seems more common among larger, hairier squirrel species, like grey squirrels and fox squirrels. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 20 Aug. 2022 Franco at one point makes ridiculous squirrel noises. Rodney Ho, ajc, 9 Aug. 2022 As any squirrel will tell you, running out of acorns mid-winter is no picnic. Laurence Kotlikoff, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 Masking, gloving and eye protection are required for animal care staff working with the squirrel monkeys. Jodicee Arianna, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 Ben Dantzer had spent several frustrating days trying to capture a single squirrel when the epiphany arrived. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 8 July 2022 The power outage was caused by a squirrel getting into a substation, which is a distribution point for power, and interfering with equipment, Protogere said. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 28 June 2022 Traditionally, the fish arrives at the table presented whole with its head and tail, though the puffed appearance of the center-stage fillet is said to resemble a bushy squirrel. Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2022 Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 That Trump allegedly sought to squirrel away documents comes as no surprise. Nicole Hemmer, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022 Cedar can have dead tops for several reasons: squirrel damage, drought effects, heat scorch or some fungal canker diseases. oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Courtney Astolfi reports the transfer is the maximum amount of money that state law allows Cleveland to squirrel away for the future via two types of reserve accounts. Mike Rose, cleveland, 20 July 2022 Each worker who doesn’t opt out decides how much to squirrel away, with the default set at 5% of gross pay. Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 With that metaphor of burying acorns for possible future growth in mind, the creative team behind the app tapped Walken to voice the character of a no-nonsense New York City squirrel to get ordinary people to start investing for their future. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2022 Columnist Dan Walters followed the money, and found that a loophole was allowing some districts to squirrel away state money that should be going to close the gap. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021 So how are wealthy taxpayers able to squirrel away millions in these modest plans? Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2021 See More
Noun
Go nutty with this hilarious inflatable squirrel costume. Terri Robertson, Country Living, 22 Aug. 2022 Devitz says that splooting seems more common among larger, hairier squirrel species, like grey squirrels and fox squirrels. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 20 Aug. 2022 Franco at one point makes ridiculous squirrel noises. Rodney Ho, ajc, 9 Aug. 2022 As any squirrel will tell you, running out of acorns mid-winter is no picnic. Laurence Kotlikoff, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022 Masking, gloving and eye protection are required for animal care staff working with the squirrel monkeys. Jodicee Arianna, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 Ben Dantzer had spent several frustrating days trying to capture a single squirrel when the epiphany arrived. Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 8 July 2022 The power outage was caused by a squirrel getting into a substation, which is a distribution point for power, and interfering with equipment, Protogere said. Claire Rafford, The Indianapolis Star, 28 June 2022 Traditionally, the fish arrives at the table presented whole with its head and tail, though the puffed appearance of the center-stage fillet is said to resemble a bushy squirrel. Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2022 Verb
Filoviruses can squirrel themselves away in parts of the body where immune system weaponry cannot reach them. Andrew Joseph, STAT, 1 Sep. 2022 That Trump allegedly sought to squirrel away documents comes as no surprise. Nicole Hemmer, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022 Cedar can have dead tops for several reasons: squirrel damage, drought effects, heat scorch or some fungal canker diseases. oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2022 Courtney Astolfi reports the transfer is the maximum amount of money that state law allows Cleveland to squirrel away for the future via two types of reserve accounts. Mike Rose, cleveland, 20 July 2022 Each worker who doesn’t opt out decides how much to squirrel away, with the default set at 5% of gross pay. Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 With that metaphor of burying acorns for possible future growth in mind, the creative team behind the app tapped Walken to voice the character of a no-nonsense New York City squirrel to get ordinary people to start investing for their future. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 May 2022 Columnist Dan Walters followed the money, and found that a loophole was allowing some districts to squirrel away state money that should be going to close the gap. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2021 So how are wealthy taxpayers able to squirrel away millions in these modest plans? Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English squirel, from Anglo-French escurel, esquirel, from Vulgar Latin *scuriolus, diminutive of scurius, alteration of Latin *sciurus, from Greek skiouros, probably from skia shadow + oura tail — more at shine, ass
Verb
from the squirrel's habit of storing up gathered nuts and seeds for winter use
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1925, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing squirrel
Kids Definition
squirrel
noun
squir·rel ˈskwər-əl
: a small gnawing animal that is a rodent usually with a bushy tail and soft fur and strong hind legs used especially for leaping among tree branches