gerbil

Friendly

Word: Gerbil

Definition: A gerbil is a small rodent that comes from the desert. It has soft, pale fur and strong back legs that help it jump. Gerbils are often kept as pets because they are friendly and easy to take care of.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Countable/Uncountable: Countable (You can say one gerbil or two gerbils.)

Example Sentences:

1. "I have a pet gerbil named Nibbles."
2. "Gerbils like to dig tunnels in their bedding."

Advanced Usage:

• In science, gerbils are sometimes used in research to study behavior and health because they are easy to handle and have a short lifespan.

Word Variants:

• Gerbil (noun): The main form of the word.
• Gerbilization (noun): The process of adapting or modifying something based on gerbil traits or behaviors (not commonly used).

Different Meanings:

• In general, the word "gerbil" refers specifically to the rodent species. There are no significant alternative meanings.

Synonyms:

• Rodent (broader category)
• Pet (when referring to gerbils as pets)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "gerbil." However, you might hear phrases like "to run like a gerbil on a wheel," which means to be busy but not getting anywhere, similar to how a gerbil runs in a wheel.

Summary:

A gerbil is a small, friendly rodent commonly kept as a pet. It is known for its ability to jump and dig.

Academic

Noun

1. small Old World burrowing desert rodent with long soft pale fur and hind legs adapted for leaping

Synonyms

• gerbille