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Definition of groundhog

groundhog

/ˈɡraʊndˌhɔːɡ/
ground · hog
Plural:groundhogs
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groundhog Lexical Profile

groundhog Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A large, burrowing rodent of the marmot family native to North America, characterized by a stout body, short legs, and coarse reddish-brown fur.

Example

"We watched the groundhog emerge from its burrow to forage for clover in the meadow."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for groundhog

• Nearby Words

ground boa
ground skink
ground snake
groundhog
groundprox
groundsel
grouper

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from 'ground' + 'hog', originating in the late 17th century in reference to the animal's burrowing habits and its stout, low-slung, pig-like appearance.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Groundhog. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/groundhog
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