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Definition of cottontail

cottontail

/ˈkɑː.tən.teɪl/
cot · ton · tail
Plural:cottontails
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cottontail Lexical Profile

cottontail Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American Any of several small, highly adaptable New World rabbits of the genus Sylvilagus, characterized by a brownish-gray coat and a conspicuous white underside to the tail that flashes when they run.

Example

"Early in the morning, an eastern cottontail hopped across the dew-covered lawn, pausing to nibble on some clover."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cottontail

• Nearby Words

cotton rat
cottonmouth
cottonseed
cottontail
cottontail rabbit
cottonwood
cottonwool

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in the mid-19th century as a descriptive compound word, referring to the characteristic white underside of the rabbit's tail that resembles a tuft of cotton.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cottontail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cottontail
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