ermine

noun

er·​mine ˈər-mən 

plural ermines

1

or plural ermine

a

: any of several weasels whose coats become white in winter usually with black on the tip of the tail

especially : a weasel (Mustela erminea) chiefly of northern Eurasia and North America that has a short tail, is found in varied habitats (such as forest, grassland, and tundra), and preys especially on small mammals (such as voles and mice) : short-tailed weasel, stoat

b

: the white fur of the ermine

2

: a rank or office whose ceremonial or official robe is ornamented with ermine

Illustration of ermine

• winter coat

Examples of ermine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Further complicating the mustelids’ lexical family tree, the Haida ermine, found on islands off the Pacific Northwest coast, was also once considered a subspecies of the common stoat, but is now recognized as its own species. —Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026

Wolverines are beagle-sized carnivores related to weasels, ermines, badgers, martens, otters, and black footed ferrets, all of which are native to this state. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2026

But despite its many charms, recipes for ermine frosting nearly disappeared after cream cheese frosting surged onto the scene, so many bakers have never heard of it. —Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 27 July 2025

An example: a steel-gray satin duchess coat lined in white ermine, with the black ermine tails falling from inside of the cuffs. —Ralph Rucci, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French hermin, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German harmo weasel

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ermine

• birman
• burman
• firman
• german
• kirman
• sermon
• spermine
• termen
• termine
• vermin
• determine
• predetermine

Kids Definition

ermine

noun

er·​mine ˈər-mən 

plural ermine or ermines

1

: any of several weasels with black on the tail and a brown coat of fur which usually becomes white in the winter

2

: the white fur of an ermine