noun
raccoon
ruh-KOON
noun
1
A nocturnal mammal native to the Americas, easily recognised by its grey-and-black fur, masked face, and ringed tail.
"A raccoon knocked over our bins again last night."
"Raccoons are known for their clever, dexterous front paws."
How to Use Raccoon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA masked, ring-tailed nocturnal animal common across North America, well known for raiding rubbish bins.
Common pairings
trash panda (informal)
raccoon tracks
Word Forms
raccoons plural
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A _____ knocked over our bins again last night.
Etymology
Borrowed from a Powhatan word describing the animal's habit of scratching or rubbing with its hands.