Rat: meaning, definitions and examples

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rat

 

[ rรฆt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

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

mouse, rodent, vermin

Examples of usage

  • Be careful, there are rats in the basement.
  • The city has a rat problem in certain neighborhoods.
Context #2 | Noun

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

informant, snitch, traitor

Examples of usage

  • I can't believe he ratted us out to the authorities.
  • Don't be a rat and keep our secret safe.
Context #3 | Noun

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

lowlife, scoundrel, scumbag

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น rato

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเฅ‚เคนเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Ratte

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tikus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะฐั†ัŽะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ szczur

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใ‚บใƒŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rat

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ rata

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sฤฑรงan

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฅ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฌุฑุฐ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ krysa

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ potkan

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่€้ผ 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ podgana

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ rotta

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะตะณะตัƒา›าฑะนั€ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ•แƒ˜แƒ แƒ—แƒฎแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ siรงan

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ rata

Etymology

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.

See also: ratchet, ratify, rats.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,133, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.