Usage Note
rongeur is used both as a noun (a rodent) and as an adjective meaning 'gnawing'. The feminine noun form rongeuse exists but the masculine serves as the default category label in biology. Common rongeurs include le rat (rat), la souris (mouse), l'écureuil (squirrel), and le castor (beaver). The verb ronger means 'to gnaw' or, figuratively, 'to eat away at' (être rongé par le remords — 'consumed by remorse').
Examples
"Le rat est un rongeur très répandu."
Natural Translation
The rat is a very widespread rodent.
Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
