burrow Meaning & Definition
What Does Burrow Mean?
Burrow is a noun that means A tunnel or hole, or a system of tunnels, often as dug by a small creature for use as a home. It can also mean Obsolete form of barrow (“a mound”). As a verb, it means To dig a tunnel or hole. As a verb, it means (with adverbial of direction) to move underneath or press up against in search of safety or comfort.
Quick Facts About Burrow
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbʌɹəʊ/ |
| Synonyms | tunnel, tumulus and handcart |
| Plural | burrows |
| Verb forms | burrows, burrowing, burrowed |
Burrow Definition (Noun)
- A tunnel or hole, or a system of tunnels, often as dug by a small creature for use as a home.
- Obsolete form of barrow (“a mound”).
- Obsolete form of borough (“an incorporated town”).
Burrow as a Verb
- To dig a tunnel or hole.
- To move underneath or press up against in search of safety or comfort.
The young girl burrowed into the bed.
- To investigate thoroughly.
The journalist burrowed into the origins of the mayor's corruption.
Noun
- A mountain.
- A hill.
- A mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves.
- A heap of rubbish, attle, or other such refuse.
Noun
- A small vehicle used to carry a load and pulled or pushed by hand.
- (saltworks) A wicker case in which salt is put to drain.
Noun
- A castrated boar.
Noun
- A long sleeveless flannel garment for infants.
Noun
- A fortified town.
- A town or city.
- A town having a municipal corporation and certain traditional rights.
- An administrative district in some cities, e.g., London.
- An administrative unit of a city which, under most circumstances according to state or national law, would be considered a larger or more powerful entity; most commonly used in American English to define the five counties that make up New York City.
- Other similar administrative units in cities and states in various parts of the world.
- A district in Alaska having powers similar to a county.
- An association of men who gave pledges or sureties to the king for the good behaviour of each other.
- The pledge or surety thus given.
Noun
- A tunnel or hole, often as dug by a small creature.
- A heap or heaps of rubbish or refuse.
Verb
- (with adverbial of direction) to move underneath or press up against in search of safety or comfort
The young girl burrowed into the bed.
- (with into) to investigate thoroughly
The journalist burrowed into the origins of the mayor's corruption.
Synonyms of Burrow
Burrow synonyms and antonyms →Burrow in a Sentence
The young girl burrowed into the bed.
The journalist burrowed into the origins of the mayor's corruption.
Word Forms & Grammar
burrow (plural burrows)
burrow (third-person singular simple present burrows, present participle burrowing, simple past and past participle burrowed)
Words That Rhyme With Burrow
Origin of Burrow
Origin 1: From Middle English borowe, borewe, borwȝ, burȝe, burh, burye (“refuge for an animal, lair, burrow”), apparently a variant of Middle English burgh (“fortified dwelling, stronghold, refuge”) (see borough) and thus from Old English burh, from Proto-West Germanic *burg, from Proto-Germanic *burgz (“stronghold, city”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“high”), but this sense is not known in Old English burh. Compare, however, Dutch cognate burcht, which has a similar sense.
Origin 2: It may be related to bury (“to dig”), in which case it would be derived from Proto-Indo-European *bʰergʰ- (“to protect, defend, save, preserve”).
Common Questions About Burrow
Is burrow a noun or a verb?
Burrow is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for burrow?
You can replace burrow with words such as tunnel, tumulus and handcart. See the full list of burrow synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of burrow?
The plural of burrow is burrows.
What is the past tense of burrow?
The past tense of burrow is burrowed. The present participle is burrowing.