chipmunk: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal (zoological term: formal)
Quick answer
What does “chipmunk” mean?
A small, striped, ground-dwelling rodent of the squirrel family, native to North America and Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, striped, ground-dwelling rodent of the squirrel family, native to North America and Asia.
A term sometimes used to describe a high-pitched, sped-up voice, often resulting from altered audio playback speed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The animal is native to North America and is more commonly referenced in North American culture. The secondary 'voice' meaning is globally understood in digital/media contexts.
Connotations
Connotations are neutral for the animal (cute, small, furry). The voice connotation is often humorous or derogatory.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the animal's prevalence. In British English, it's a known but less common animal term.
Grammar
How to Use “chipmunk” in a Sentence
[see/watch/hear] a chipmunkchipmunk [scurried/stored/chattered]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chipmunk” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They managed to chipmunk the audio track, making the presenter sound absurd.
American English
- He accidentally chipmunked his voice memo by playing it at double speed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in zoology and ecology texts.
Everyday
Describing the animal or a comically high-pitched voice.
Technical
Refers to species within the genera Tamias, Eutamias, or Neotamias.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chipmunk”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chipmunk”
- Spelling: 'chipmonk', 'chipmuck'. Using for any small squirrel.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, chipmunks are a type of ground squirrel belonging to the family Sciuridae.
It describes a high-pitched, squeaky voice, typically resulting from playing audio at a faster-than-normal speed.
Most species are native to North America, but one species (the Siberian chipmunk) is found in northern Asia.
Informally, yes. To 'chipmunk' audio means to speed it up, creating a high-pitched effect.
A small, striped, ground-dwelling rodent of the squirrel family, native to North America and Asia.
Chipmunk is usually informal (zoological term: formal) in register.
Chipmunk: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪpmʌŋk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪpmʌŋk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Alvin and the CHIPMUNKS: small, singing rodents with high-pitched voices.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS PITCH (a sped-up recording sounds like a chipmunk's voice).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'chipmunk'?