burrow

1 of 3

noun (1)

bur·​row ˈbər-(ˌ)ō 

ˈbə-(ˌ)rō

: a hole or excavation in the ground made by an animal (such as a rabbit) for shelter and habitation

burrow

2 of 3

verb

burrowed; burrowing; burrows

intransitive verb

1

a

: to make a burrow

A fox had burrowed into the side of the hill.

b

: to progress by or as if by digging

burrowing through a pile of paperwork

2

: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing : snuggle, nestle

burrowed against his back for warmth

3

: to conceal oneself in or as if in a burrow

transitive verb

1

a

: to penetrate by means of a burrow

The tunnel burrows its way under the mountain.

b

: to construct by tunneling

burrowed a dwelling

2

: to make a motion suggestive of burrowing with : nestle

burrows her hand into mine

3

archaic : to hide in or as if in a hole in the ground made by an animal for shelter and habitation : to hide in or as if in a burrow

was burrowed in his cave

burrower noun

burrower

3 of 3

noun (2)

bur·​row·​er

ˈbər-ə-wər, 

-(ˌ)ō-ər;

ˈbə-rə-wər, 

-(ˌ)rō-ər

plural -s

: one that burrows

specifically : an animal that makes a hole underground and lives in it

Synonyms of burrow

Noun (1)

• nest
• lair
• house
• den

Examples of burrow in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the chipmunk retreated to its burrow to have its babies

Verb

The rabbit burrowed into the side of the hill.

The frogs burrow under the mud.

The mole burrowed its way under the ground.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The eggs hatch into larvae that burrow into the wound and feed on living tissue; then, after about seven days of feeding, the larvae drop to the ground, burrow into the soil and pupate. —Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Unlike typical maggots, which consume dead or decaying tissue, screwworm larvae burrow into wounds and feed on healthy tissue, causing severe damage. —Tori Mason, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Verb

When the mosquito lands on the fungus, its hook-like spores burrow through the insect’s exoskeleton and kill it within days. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 June 2026

Releasing emotions that have been burrowing inside can be a spectacular kind of catharsis, especially alongside hundreds of strangers in a dark room along for the same journey. —Barry Levitt, Time, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English borow

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Rhymes for burrow

• boro
• burro
• burrough
• furrow
• thorough
• yarborough

Kids Definition

burrow

1 of 2 noun

bur·​row ˈbər-ō 

ˈbə-rō

: a hole in the ground made by an animal (as a rabbit or fox) for shelter or protection

burrow

2 of 2 verb

1

: to construct by tunneling

2

: to hide oneself in or as if in a burrow

3

: to move or enter by or as if by digging

burrower noun

Medical Definition

burrow

noun

bur·​row ˈbər-(ˌ)ō, ˈbə-(ˌ)rō 

: a passage or gallery formed in or under the skin by the wandering of a parasite (as the mite of scabies or a foreign hookworm)

burrow verb