fossorial

adjective

fos·​so·​ri·​al fä-ˈsȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce fossorial (audio)
: adapted to digging
a fossorial foot

Examples of fossorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Animals that burrow underground like the badger are called fossorial. — National Geographic, 14 Feb. 2020 These tiny fossorial ophidians — though not the tiniest (that title belongs to this 4-inch snake from Barbados) — are nearly sightless. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Fossorial animals live underground, and nocturnal animals only come out at night. — Kellie Ann Benz, The Mercury News, 4 May 2017 Interestingly, in fossorial lizards, all five pigments were still around, but in fossorial snakes like the termite-decapitating blindsnakes, only one pigment remained. — Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2015

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin fossorius used for digging, from Latin fossor digger, from fodere

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fossorial was in 1836

Rhymes for fossorial

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Browse Nearby Words

fossor
fossorial
fossulate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fossorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fossorial. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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