red fox

noun

: a usually orange-red to reddish-brown Holarctic fox (Vulpes vulpes) that has a white-tipped tail compare silver fox sense 1

Illustration of red fox

Illustration of red fox

Examples of red fox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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For birdwatchers in particular, the downy woodpecker, purple martin and spotted sandpiper are just a few of the species that might make an appearance, while native mammals range from the red fox to the river otter—but the park is perhaps best known for its diverse array of reptiles. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 This year, two bottlenose dolphins, two harbor seals and a pair of red foxes have made the list. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025 Domestic cats are the third most common detection of H5N1 in non-farm mammals in the US, behind red foxes and mice. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025 Both Arctic and red foxes hunt in the snow by using their sensitive hearing to locate the precise location of tunneling rodents. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for red fox

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red fox was in 1742

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Cite this Entry

“Red fox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20fox. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

red fox

noun
: a usually orange-red to reddish brown fox with a white-tipped tail compare silver fox

More from Merriam-Webster on red fox

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