Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

inquiline

noun in·qui·line \ ˈin-kwə-ˌlīn , ˈiŋ- , -lən \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of inquiline

: an animal that lives habitually in the nest or abode of some other species

Origin and Etymology of inquiline

Latin inquilinus tenant, lodger, from in- + colere to cultivate, dwell — more at wheel

Medical Dictionary

inquiline

noun in·qui·line \ ˈin-kwə-ˌlīn, ˈiŋ-, -lən \

medical Definition of inquiline

: an animal (as the house mouse) that lives habitually in the nest or abode (as a human dwelling) of some other species
—

inquilinism

play \-lə-ˌniz-əm\ noun

Learn More about inquiline

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inquiline

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up inquiline? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

play

investment of mental or emotional energy

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'a member of a small group which exercises control of government'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

inquiline

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

  • image1926873504
  • Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

image236659401
Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28
'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Why not both?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed
Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97
Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

image1926873504
Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz
cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
True or False
True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game