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

Wolverine : 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

Now their children are Wolverines too. —Jack Springgate, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

Wolverines coach Dusty May was an Indiana man, one who had spent his college years as a student manager learning from iconic coach Bob Knight, a longtime Michigan rival. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026

The Huskies fought the bigger Wolverines for 22 offensive rebounds, and got off 13 more shots from the floor, 68 to 55, yet made the same number of field goals, 21, and therein hung the defeat. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026

Wolverines also are first team in NCAA Tournament history to score 90-plus points in five straight games in a single year. —Greg Cote april 5, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

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