jackrabbit
B2Informal, Specific
Definition
Meaning
A large North American hare with very long ears and powerful hind legs.
1. To start or accelerate suddenly and rapidly. 2. (Colloquial) Someone or something that moves quickly or jumps ahead.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word primarily refers to the animal, but its use as a verb ('to jackrabbit') is derived from the animal's characteristic sudden, leaping movement. The verb use is almost exclusively American.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'jackrabbit' is recognized as a zoological term for an American animal, but is rarely used colloquially. The verb form 'to jackrabbit' is virtually non-existent in UK usage. In American English, the term is familiar, and the verb form is used, albeit informally.
Connotations
American: Evokes the imagery of the American West, speed, and sudden movement. British: Primarily a zoological term with no strong cultural connotations.
Frequency
High frequency in North American contexts related to wildlife or describing sudden starts. Very low frequency in general British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] jackrabbits (intransitive verb)The [vehicle] jackrabbited from the stoplight.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Jackrabbit start (a sudden, jerky acceleration)”
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Used in biology/zoology texts describing North American fauna.
Everyday
Describing the animal seen in rural areas; describing a car or person starting suddenly.
Technical
Zoology: Lepus californicus (black-tailed jackrabbit), Lepus townsendii (white-tailed jackrabbit).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
American English
- The motorbike jackrabbited away from the curb.
- He jackrabbits out of his chair every time the phone rings.
adjective
American English
- The truck had a jackrabbit start that threw everyone back in their seats.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a big jackrabbit in the field.
- The jackrabbit has very long ears.
- A jackrabbit ran across the desert road.
- Its speed is why they call it a jackrabbit.
- The black-tailed jackrabbit is well-adapted to arid environments.
- My old car tends to jackrabbit when I'm not smooth with the clutch.
- The sudden, jackrabbiting growth of the tech startup caught investors' attention.
- Her reaction was jackrabbit-quick, demonstrating exceptional reflexes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'jack' (a device for lifting) and a 'rabbit'. A jackrabbit uses its powerful legs to 'jack' itself up into leaps.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED/SUDDEN MOVEMENT IS A JACKRABBIT ('The car jackrabbited into traffic').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as simply 'кролик' (rabbit) or 'заяц' (hare). It is a specific type of large hare ('зайцы-песчаники', 'калифорнийский заяц'). The verb has no direct equivalent; use descriptive phrases like 'рвануть с места'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'jackrabbit' to refer to small pet rabbits. Confusing it with 'jackrabbit' as a brand name (e.g., for vehicles or software).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'jackrabbit'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hare, not a rabbit. Hares are generally larger, have longer ears and legs, and their young are born furred and with open eyes (precocial), unlike rabbits.
Yes, but primarily in American English. It means to start or move forward suddenly and rapidly, like the animal does.
They are native to western and central North America, inhabiting open areas like deserts, plains, and prairies.
The name comes from the characteristic long ears, which were likened to those of a jackass (donkey), hence 'jackass rabbit', later shortened to 'jackrabbit'.