What does fox mean?
The fox is a small to medium-sized carnivorous mammal belonging to the dog family, Canidae, best known through the widespread red fox, with its pointed muzzle, erect ears, and distinctive bushy tail. Foxes are found across much of the Northern Hemisphere and have famously adapted to urban life, scavenging and hunting in cities as well as countryside. Beyond its zoological meaning, the word carries strong cultural weight: in fables from Aesop onward, the fox embodies cunning, trickery, and intelligence, and calling a person a 'fox' implies slyness or shrewdness rather than dishonesty alone. This dual character — a real animal and a symbol of cleverness — makes 'fox' one of the most resonant animal names in English, appearing everywhere from children's stories and heraldry to everyday idioms such as 'sly as a fox.'
A carnivorous mammal of the genus Vulpes (family Canidae), having a pointed muzzle, bushy tail, and typically reddish fur; especially the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).
"We watched a fox trot along the fence line at dusk."
Also used figuratively to describe a cunning or sly person, especially in informal contexts.
(Informal) To deceive or outwit someone through cunning.
"He tried to fox the examiner by memorising past papers instead of learning the material."
Chiefly British informal use.
Standard plural adds '-es'; no irregular plural exists.
"Several foxes were spotted foraging behind the bins last night."
Foxes are members of the dog family, yet they purr, climb trees, and hunt like cats — evolution's most successful double agent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fox
The English word 'fox' derives from Old English 'fox', which was itself from Proto-Germanic *fuhsaz. It shares a common Germanic root with cognates such as German 'Fuchs' and Dutch 'vos'. The feminine form 'vixen' developed from a separate Old English word 'fyxen'. The word has been in continuous use in English since before the Norman Conquest, making it one of the oldest surviving animal names in the language.
Related word forms
How fox is actually used
As an animal name, 'fox' is neutral and standard in both British and American English; the figurative use meaning a sly or shrewd person is informal. In older British usage 'fox' could also colloquially denote an attractive person, but this sense is now rare and largely dated.
Easily confused with fox
A vixen is specifically a female fox, whereas fox refers generally to the animal or the species.