What does raccoon mean?
A raccoon is a medium-sized, mostly nocturnal mammal with a pointed snout, dexterous forepaws, and a distinctive black mask across its eyes. Its conspicuous tail is usually marked by alternating light and dark rings. Raccoons inhabit North and Central America and have been introduced to parts of Europe and Asia. Although often portrayed as cute or mischievous, they are opportunistic, intelligent omnivores that eat plants and a wide range of small animals. Their adaptability has helped them thrive near cities, where they may forage in rubbish bins, gardens, and around buildings. The word also appears in compounds naming the raccoon dog, the raccoon family, and the raccoon round, a cylindrical hay-bale shape associated with traditional American agriculture.
nounA nocturnal, omnivorous mammal of the raccoon family, native to North and Central America and introduced to parts of Europe and Asia. It is chiefly recognizable by its black facial mask and ringed tail.
- The raccoon, a masked, ring-tailed mammal belonging to the raccoon family.
"A raccoon cautiously approached the bird feeder after dark."
"Raccoons raided the rubbish bins while the family was asleep."
"The raccoon dog is native to northeastern China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East."
The standard plural of the noun.
"Several raccoons were seen near the tree line."
A raccoon’s supposedly mischievous reputation is built on genuinely dexterous hands: its sensitive forepaws can manipulate objects with surprising precision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does raccoon come from?
The English word entered use in the early 17th century. It was borrowed from an Algonquian language of Virginia, commonly identified as Powhatan, in forms such as arakun and arcoon; these forms have been interpreted as referring to an animal that scratches with its hands. The reference to the animal’s tactile forepaws fits the raccoon’s well-developed sense of touch.
Related word forms
How raccoon is actually used
The word is common in North America and is also used in Britain for the North American animal, although it must not be confused with the East Asian raccoon dog. As an attributive noun, it commonly appears in names such as “raccoon dog,” “raccoon family,” and “raccoon round.”
Easily confused with raccoon
A raccoon is a member of the raccoon family, whereas a raccoon dog is a wild canid native to East Asia.