Foxes: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to members of the canine family known for their cunning nature and bushy tails.

• The foxes roamed the countryside at night.
• We saw a family of foxes in the forest.

Refers to a broader category of undomesticated canines, which can include not only foxes but also wolves, dingoes, and others.

• Wild dogs are often seen in the savannah hunting in packs.
• The park has been warning visitors about the presence of wild dogs in the area.

Scientific term used in formal or academic settings to specifically refer to the genus that includes true foxes.

• The study focused on the behavior of Vulpes vulpes in different environments.
• Vulpes is a genus within the family Canidae.

Use when talking specifically about the animal or in a metaphorical sense to describe someone clever or cunning.

• The foxes in the forest are hard to spot at night
• / He foxes everyone with his quick wit

Use when you want to describe someone lying or tricking someone, often with a negative connotation.

• She tried to deceive her parents about where she was going
• / The thief deceives people into giving away their personal information