gopher

1 of 2

noun (1)

go·​pher ˈgō-fər 

1

: a burrowing land tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) of the southern U.S.

broadly : any of several related land tortoises

called also gopher tortoise

2

a

: any of a family (Geomyidae) of burrowing rodents of western North America, Central America, and the southern U.S. that are the size of a large rat and have large cheek pouches opening beside the mouth

called also pocket gopher

b

: any of several small ground squirrels (genus Spermophilus) of the prairie region of North America

3

: gopher ball

Illustration of gopher

• gopher 2a

gopher

2 of 2

noun (2)

go·​pher

less common spelling of gofer

informal

: an employee whose duties include running errands : lackey

Examples of gopher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As Ramis explained, after Michael O'Keefe shames Ted Knight by making the game-winning putt (thanks to Bill Murray setting off explosives in pursuit of a pesky gopher), there was going to be two little wrap-up moments. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 July 2025

The word is unrelated to the animal gopher, though the similar spelling often causes confusion. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

The water buffalos are nearly extinct in our yard, although foxes, coyotes, bobcats, possums, squirrels, gophers, rabbits, hawks, owls, and an occasional camel, roam freely. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025

There are also mitigation plans for Florida scrub jays, eastern indigo snakes, gopher tortoises and bald eagles. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gopher

• gopher ball
• gopher snake
• pocket gopher

Rhymes for gopher

• loafer

Kids Definition

gopher

noun

go·​pher

ˈgō-fər

1

: a burrowing land tortoise of the southern U.S.

2

a

: any of several burrowing American rodents with large cheek pouches

called also pocket gopher

b

: a small striped ground squirrel of the prairie region of the U.S.