WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ger•bil /ˈdʒɜrbəl/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. Mammalsa small rodent with long hind legs that is popular as a pet.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
ger•bil  ( jûr′bəl),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. any of numerous small burrowing rodents of the genus Gerbillus and related genera, of Asia, Africa, and southern Russia, having long hind legs used for jumping.
  2. ZoologyAlso called tamarisk gerbil. a jird, Meriones unguiculatus, that is popular as a pet. Also called sand rat. 
  • Neo-Latin gerbillus, diminutive of gerbo jerboa
  • French gerbille
  • 1840–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
gerbil, gerbille /ˈdʒɜːbɪl/ n
  1. any burrowing rodent of the subfamily Gerbillinae, inhabiting hot dry regions of Asia and Africa and having soft pale fur: family Cricetidae
Etymology: 19th Century: from French gerbille, from New Latin gerbillus a little jerboa

Forum discussions with the word(s) "gerbil(le)" in the title:


Look up "gerbil(le)" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "gerbil(le)" at dictionary.com
  • Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

In other languages: Spanish | French | Italian | Portuguese | Romanian | German | Dutch | Swedish | Russian | Polish | Czech | Greek | Turkish | Chinese | Japanese | Korean | Arabic

Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!

Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.