Rat: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
rat
[ rรฆt ]
small rodent
A rat is a small rodent with a long tail, known for its ability to adapt to various environments and reproduce quickly. Rats are often considered pests due to their tendency to spread disease and damage property.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Be careful, there are rats in the basement.
- The city has a rat problem in certain neighborhoods.
traitor
Informally, a rat can also refer to a person who betrays others, especially their friends or colleagues. This term is commonly used in informal contexts to describe someone who is disloyal or untrustworthy.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- I can't believe he ratted us out to the authorities.
- Don't be a rat and keep our secret safe.
despicable person
In slang, a rat can be used to describe a despicable or contemptible person. This derogatory term implies that the person is deceitful, sneaky, or untrustworthy.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He's such a rat, always lying and cheating.
- Don't associate with rats like him.
Translations
Translations of the word "rat" in other languages:
๐ต๐น rato
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคนเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Ratte
๐ฎ๐ฉ tikus
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐััะบ
๐ต๐ฑ szczur
๐ฏ๐ต ใใบใ
๐ซ๐ท rat
๐ช๐ธ rata
๐น๐ท sฤฑรงan
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฅ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฌุฑุฐ
๐จ๐ฟ krysa
๐ธ๐ฐ potkan
๐จ๐ณ ่้ผ
๐ธ๐ฎ podgana
๐ฎ๐ธ rotta
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะตะณะตัาาฑะนััา
๐ฌ๐ช แแแ แแฎแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ siรงan
๐ฒ๐ฝ rata
Word origin
The word 'rat' can be traced back to Middle English, where it originally referred to the rodent. Over time, the term expanded to include the metaphorical meanings of traitor or despicable person. The negative connotations associated with rats in terms of disease and destruction likely influenced the development of these additional meanings.