Pronunciation

/ræt/

Definitions

Noun

1. A small, typically brown or gray rodent with a pointed snout, long tail, and sharp teeth, often considered a pest.

   • Example: “The rat scurried across the kitchen floor.”
   • Synonyms: vermin, rodent, Norway rat, sewer rat

2. [slang] A person, especially a man, who is cowardly or despicable.

   • Example: “He’s such a rat, always betraying his friends.”

Verb

1. To act like a rat, betray, or be untrustworthy.

   • Example: “He ratted on his coworker for taking the office supplies without permission.”
   • Synonym: inform, snitch

2. To escape or flee quickly, often in a panic.

   • Example: “The rats fled the burning building.”

Adjective

1. Deceitful or treacherous.

   • Example: “A rat deal won’t last long.”

2. Diseased or contaminated.

   • Example: “The food was tainted with rat poison.”

Phrases

• “Rat race” refers to a stressful, competitive lifestyle.
• “Get rid of the rat infestation” means to eliminate a population of rats.
• “Rat-a-tat-tat” is a sound imitating rapid gunfire or machine gun fire.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The exterminator was called to remove the rat nest from the basement.”
• Verb: “He ratted out his partner to the police, hoping to get a reduced sentence.”
• Adjective: “The damp conditions in the old house attracted rats.”

Synonyms (adjective)

• Unreliable
• Underhanded
• Disloyal
• Scoundrelly
• Deceitful