Varmint
noun
An annoying person or animal, often one that harms other creatures or things.
The rabbits in my garden have become such varmints because they eat all the vegetables.
Often appears as...
- pesky varmint
- mean varmint
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
In Western U.S, it is a wild animal that is believed to be harmful and is hunted, trapped or poisoned.
Farmers often have to deal with varmints like coyotes and bobcats that prey on livestock.
Often appears as...
- varmint hunting
- varmint species
noun
An annoying person or animal, often one that harms other creatures or things.
The rabbits in my garden have become such varmints because they eat all the vegetables.
Often appears as...
- pesky varmint
- mean varmint
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
noun
In Western U.S, it is a wild animal that is believed to be harmful and is hunted, trapped or poisoned.
Farmers often have to deal with varmints like coyotes and bobcats that prey on livestock.
Often appears as...
- varmint hunting
- varmint species
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Term
Used in informal conversation, not in formal writing or speeches.
That raccoon's a real varmint, always tipping over my trash bins.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Nuance
Implies annoyance or troublesome behavior, not just any animal or person.
He's such a varmint, hiding my tools when I need them the most.
Pro Tip 3/3Image of Mischief
Evoke images of small, sneaky creatures causing damage or mischief.
Those squirrels are cute, but they're varmints to my bird feeder.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Term
Used in informal conversation, not in formal writing or speeches.
That raccoon's a real varmint, always tipping over my trash bins.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Nuance
Implies annoyance or troublesome behavior, not just any animal or person.
He's such a varmint, hiding my tools when I need them the most.
Pro Tip 3/3Image of Mischief
Evoke images of small, sneaky creatures causing damage or mischief.
Those squirrels are cute, but they're varmints to my bird feeder.
Pro Tip 1/3Colloquial Term
Used in informal conversation, not in formal writing or speeches.
That raccoon's a real varmint, always tipping over my trash bins.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Nuance
Implies annoyance or troublesome behavior, not just any animal or person.
He's such a varmint, hiding my tools when I need them the most.
Pro Tip 3/3Image of Mischief
Evoke images of small, sneaky creatures causing damage or mischief.
Those squirrels are cute, but they're varmints to my bird feeder.
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Quote examples
Chris Pratt
American Actor
My favorite animal to hunt is probably elk. There's nothing like the sound of a bugling bull splitting the cold air at first light. And that smell is unmistakable. Once you experience their musk in the wild there's no going back! A close second would be a varmint hunt.
Quote examples
John Steinbeck
American Author
Man is the only kind of varmint sets his own trap, baits it, then steps in it.
Quote examples
Chris Pratt
American Actor
My favorite animal to hunt is probably elk. There's nothing like the sound of a bugling bull splitting the cold air at first light. And that smell is unmistakable. Once you experience their musk in the wild there's no going back! A close second would be a varmint hunt.
Quote examples
John Steinbeck
American Author
Man is the only kind of varmint sets his own trap, baits it, then steps in it.
Example 1 of 2
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