wolverine

noun

wol·​ver·​ine ˌwu̇l-və-ˈrēn 

plural wolverines

1

plural also wolverine

a

: a carnivorous usually solitary mammal (Gulo gulo) of the weasel family of northern forests and associated tundra that is dark brown with a light brown band on each side of the body and is noted for its strength

b

: the fur of the wolverine

2

capitalized : a native or resident of Michigan

—used as a nickname

Illustration of wolverine

• wolverine 1a

Examples of wolverine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the sheep and horse, the day’s finds include part of a wolverine and an American cheetah petrosal bone. —Michael Ray Taylor, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025

Olga, a wolverine living at The Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, gave birth to the furry little ones around Feb. 8, and the zoo announced their arrival March 31 via social media with a video of them snuggling. —Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025

While the amusement rides are mostly closed in winter, the zoo remains a fantastic place to visit, with the inhabitants of its vast Nordic wilderness park, including wolves, lynxes, and wolverines, thriving in the colder months. —David Nikel, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Other examples of plantigrade mammals include humans, raccoons, wolverines, badgers, porcupines, and rabbits. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from wolv- (as in wolves)

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for wolverine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

wolverine

noun

wol·​ver·​ine ˌwu̇l-və-ˈrēn 

plural wolverines also wolverine

: a mostly dark brown mammal with shaggy fur that is related to the weasels, martens, and sables, eats flesh, and is found chiefly in northern forests