Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hole or tunnel dug in the ground by a small animal, used as a dwelling or for shelter: A "burrow" is a refuge created by animals like rabbits, foxes, or rodents.

2. Verb:

   • To dig a hole or tunnel, especially for use as a dwelling: This refers to the action of an animal making its home underground.
   • To move or progress by or as if by digging: To advance through something by creating a passage or by searching thoroughly.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The rabbit disappeared into its burrow.
  • We found an abandoned badger burrow at the edge of the woods.

• Verb:

  • Moles burrow just beneath the surface of the lawn.
  • The larvae burrow into the fruit, causing damage.

Advanced Usage

• "to burrow into/through something": To penetrate or make one's way into something, often implying a searching or investigative effort.

  • The detective burrowed into the old case files.
  • The roots burrow deep through the rocky soil.

• "to burrow down": To settle oneself snugly or securely, often for comfort or concealment.

  • The child burrowed down under the heavy blankets.

Variants and Related Words

• Burrower (n): An animal or person that digs burrows.
  • The aardvark is a skilled burrower.

Synonyms

• Noun: Hole, tunnel, den, lair, warren.
• Verb: Dig, tunnel, excavate, delve, root.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Burrow in: To settle oneself into a place cozily or securely.

  • The cat burrowed in among the pillows.

• Burrow out: To dig one's way out of something.

  • The trapped miners tried to burrow out of the collapsed tunnel.

Related Idioms

• To burrow one's way into/through: To make one's way persistently or with effort through a crowd, a difficult situation, or a mass of material.
  • She burrowed her way through the dense undergrowth.
  • He slowly burrowed his way into the organization, gaining trust over years.

Noun

1. a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter

Verb

1. move through by or as by digging
   • burrow through the forest