English Reference
Noun

burrow

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈbɝoʊ/ UK /bˈʌɹəʊ/ bur·row UK spelling burrowed, burrowing

n.a hole or tunnel in the ground that an animal, like a rabbit, makes to live in.

n.a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to serve as a dwelling or refuge.


SIMPLE

The rabbit disappeared into its burrow.

CONTEXTUAL

During the heat of the day, many desert animals stay deep inside a cool burrow to save energy.

COMPLEX

The complex network of the badger's burrow, known as a sett, can remain in use by successive generations for several decades.

Usage

Often used with the verb 'to dig' or 'to inhabit'.

That marked a drop of nearly a third from the 52,000 burrows thought to be in use during the last survey of its kind in 2024.

BBC News· 4 Sept 2026

Their body temperature drops from about that of a human to as low as 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius), not much warmer than their burrows in winter.

Phys.org· 21 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated