weasel

1 of 2

noun

wea·​sel ˈwē-zəl 

plural weasels

1

or plural weasel : any of various small slender active carnivorous mammals (genus Mustela of the family Mustelidae, the weasel family) that are able to prey on animals (such as rabbits) larger than themselves, are mostly brown with white or yellowish underparts, and in northern forms turn white in winter compare ermine sense 1a

2

: a light self-propelled tracked vehicle built either for traveling over snow, ice, or sand or as an amphibious vehicle

3

: a sneaky, untrustworthy, or insincere person

Illustration of weasel

• weasel 1

weasel

2 of 2

verb

weaseled; weaseling ˈwēz-liŋ 

ˈwē-zə-

intransitive verb

1

: to use weasel words : equivocate

2

: to escape from or evade a situation or obligation

—often used with out

transitive verb

: to manipulate shiftily

Synonyms

Verb

• shake
• duck
• hedge
• equivocate
• dodge
• waffle
• beat about the bush
• pussyfoot
• evade

Examples of weasel in a Sentence

Verb

the polite guest chose to weasel rather than admit that he didn't like the meal

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As usual, Snout the weasel was sneaking around, looking for an opportunity to snatch everyone’s food. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

Then there’s Vince Panaro, the main character of the season and weasel of all weasels, a man whose mere mention triggers noses wrinkling in distaste. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025

Verb

So, that was a good learning experience and a humbling experience of being on the outside and trying to weasel my way in. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 25 Sep. 2025

So if an extra (and questionable) ingredient weasels its way into the formula, and the supplement hits the market, there's not much the FDA can do besides send companies a warning letter to recall the supplement. —Julia Forbes, Wired News, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English wesele, from Old English weosule; akin to Old High German wisula weasel

Verb

weasel word

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1900, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing weasel

• bridled weasel
• least weasel
• long-tailed weasel
• short-tailed weasel
• weasel his way into
• weasel into
• weasel out of
• weasel word

Rhymes for weasel

• easel

Kids Definition

weasel

noun

wea·​sel

ˈwē-zəl

plural weasels

1

or plural weasel : any of various small slender active mammals that are related to the minks, eat small animals (as mice and birds), and in northern regions turn white in winter compare ermine sense 1

2

: a sneaky, untrustworthy, or dishonest person