Vermin Meaning and Definition
Vermin
Pronunciation
/ˈvɜːrmɪn/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A pest or animal that is considered harmful or undesirable, such as rodents, insects, or other small creatures.
Examples
- The infestation of vermin in the attic was causing significant damage.
- It’s important to seal all cracks and crevices to prevent vermin from entering the home.
Synonyms
- Pest
- Pestilence
- Nuisance
Antonyms
- Beneficial
- Desirable
- Purebred
Etymology
The word “Vermin” comes from the Old French “vermin”, meaning “cattle”, but also referring to wild or ferocious animals. This sense of the word then extended to include pestilential or noxious creatures.
Usage Notes
Use “Vermin” to describe an animal or pest that is considered a nuisance or threat to the environment or human health.
Cultural References
Vermin is featured in the popular video game “Rise of Nations”, where players must defend their nation from vermin infestations.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A plague of vermin is a common idiomatic expression meaning a large number of pests or problems.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related to Vermin include Pest, Infestation, Nuisance, and Pestilence.
Collocations
Vermin is often collocated with words like “infestation”, “plague”, “pestilence”, and “nuisance” to emphasize its negative connotations.
Frequency of Use
Vermin is a relatively uncommon word, but it is often used in specialist contexts such as pest control, wildlife management, and agriculture.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of Vermin include “Vermine”, “Verminn”, and “Vermyn”.