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Definition of deer mouse
deer mouse
Plural:deer mice
deer mouse Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
North American A small, agile North American rodent of the genus Peromyscus, typically inhabiting woodlands and deserts, characterized by large eyes and ears, and distinctive two-toned fur that is brown or gray above and white underneath.
Example
"Public health officials frequently issue warnings about the deer mouse, as it is a primary carrier of hantavirus in rural parts of North America."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for deer mouseWord Origin & Etymology
Named for its distinctive two-toned fur, which resembles the coloration of a deer (tawny brown on the back and white on the belly and legs), as well as its notable agility.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deer mouse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deer mouse