cottontail

noun

cot·​ton·​tail ˈkä-tᵊn-ˌtāl 

: any of several rather small North American rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) sandy to grayish brown in color with a white-tufted underside of the tail

Examples of cottontail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maron explained that storms can dislodge baby birds from their nests, sweep young animals out of tree hollows and even flood ground nests used by cottontails and skunks. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Apr. 2026

Maron explained that storms can dislodge baby birds from nests, sweep young animals out of tree hollows and flood ground nests used by cottontails and skunks. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2026

Though the cottontail’s feet are completely covered with fur, the four toes visible on each foot and the bounding pattern of their gait are easily recognizable. —Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) makes rabbits grow real horns made of keratin, mostly on their heads but sometimes on their faces. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cottontail

• abigail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale
• yellowtail

Kids Definition

cottontail

noun

cot·​ton·​tail ˈkät-ᵊn-ˌtāl 

: any of several small brownish gray rabbits with a fluffy tail that is white on the underside