rat — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any of the numerous members of several rodent families that usually have short limbs, a pointy snout, a long, hairless tail, and a body length greater than about 12 cm, or 5 inches.

2. A medium-sized rodent belonging to the genus Rattus.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems—surgical foam, a thermal gel depot, a microcapsule or biodegradable polymer beads.

3. A person who is known for betrayal.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Synonyms

   finkratfinkbetrayersnake in the grassquislingtraitorrougescoundrelsnake

   Broader terms

   jerkperson

   Examples

   Near-synonyms: rouge, scoundrel, snake; see also Thesaurus:villain

   rat bastard

   More examples (3)

   He’s more a man than any pair of rats of you in this here house.

   What a rat, leaving us stranded here!

   "Ah, so you damn rat, this is a put-up job eh?"

4. An informant or snitch.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Synonyms

   finkratfinkstool pigeon

5. A scab: a worker who acts against trade union policies.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Synonyms

   finkratfinkblacklegknobstickscalie

6. A person who routinely spends time at a particular location.

   Usage

   • Slang

   Examples

   Our teenager has become a mall rat.

   He loved hockey and was a devoted rink rat.

7. A wad of shed hair used as part of a hairstyle.

8. A roll of material used to puff out the hair, which is turned over it.

9. Vagina, vulva.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Slang
   • Vulgar

   Synonyms

   beaverpussy

   Examples

   Get your rat out.

   More examples (1)

   I don't need no dating app to tell me if I look like crap / To tell me if I'm thin or fat, to tell me should I shave my rat / I don't need no radio, no MTV, no BBC / I just need a bubble bath to set me on a higher path

Verb

1. To hunt or kill rats.

   Usage

   • usually
   • of a dog

2. To betray a political party, cause or principle; to betray someone, to desert a person or thing.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

3. To work as a scab, going against trade union policies.

   Usage

   • Informal
   • Intransitive

4. To backcomb (hair).

   Usage

   • US usage

   Examples

   In 1962, the higher a girl's hair was ratted the more available she was, it was simply understood.

5. To inform on someone; to betray someone to the police or authorities.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   He ratted on his coworker.

   He is going to rat us out!

Noun

1. A scratch or a score.

   Usage

   • Regional

2. A place in the sea with rapid currents and crags where a ship is likely to be torn apart in stormy weather.

   Usage

   • Regional

Verb

1. To scratch or score.

   Usage

   • Regional

   Examples

   He ratted a vertical line on his face with a pocket knife.

2. To tear, rip, rend.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Rare
   • Regional

   Examples

   Ratted to shreds.

3. Damn, drat, blast; used in oaths.

   Examples

   “But, rat me, sir,” cried Foster in bewilderment, “tis too generous—'pon honour it is. I can't consent to it. No, rat me, I can't.”

Noun

1. A ration.

   Usage

   • Slang

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   With regards to the testing of his product, the initial blood analysis had come back confirming huge, distinctive nutritional superiority for Stewart's military ration pack. Given that the policy of the British Army is to be fully ready for war at the drop of a hat, he was sitting on the potential of supplying new rats for the entire army […]

Verb

1. To hack someone with a remote-access Trojan.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Noun

1. any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

   Broader terms

   rodentgnawer

2. someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike

   Synonyms

   scabstrikebreakerblackleg

   Broader terms

   worker

3. a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible

   Synonyms

   rotterdirty dogskunkstinkerstinkpotbumpukecrumblowlifescumbagso-and-sogitscum bag

   Broader terms

   unpleasant persondisagreeable person

   Examples

   only a rotter would do that

   kill the rat

   More examples (3)

   throw the bum out

   you cowardly little pukes!

   the British call a contemptible person a ‘git’

4. one who reveals confidential information to the police or other authority

   Synonyms

   informerbetrayersquealerblabber

   Broader terms

   informantsource

5. a pad (usually made of hair) worn as part of a woman's coiffure

   Broader terms

   pad

Verb

1. desert one's party or group of friends, for example, for one's personal advantage

   Broader terms

   defectdesert

2. employ scabs or strike breakers in

   Broader terms

   hireengageemploy

3. take the place of work of someone on strike

   Synonyms

   finkscabblackleg

   Broader terms

   workdo work

4. give (hair) the appearance of being fuller by using a rat

   Broader terms

   padfill out

5. catch rats, especially with dogs

   Broader terms

   capturecatch

6. give away information about somebody

   Synonyms

   denouncetell onbetraygive awaygrassshitshopsnitchstag

   Broader terms

   inform

   Examples

   He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam