Burrow (noun) refers to a small, sheltered dwelling or tunnel dug by an animal, or a place where someone hides or nests. It can also describe a shallow, natural cavity. The term often conveys coziness or secrecy, and is used metaphorically for a snug, private space, whether in nature or home settings. Contexts range from wildlife to personal retreat.
US: Rhotic /r/ after the first vowel; keep the /ɜːr/ sequence vivid and ensure the second syllable carries clear lip rounding for /oʊ/. UK/AU: often non-rhotic, so the /r/ is weaker or silent; the second syllable is /əʊ/ or /əʊ/ with less rhotic color. Vowel qualities differ: US tends to a fuller /ɜːr/; UK may have a slightly shorter, tenser /ɜː/ and a crisp /əʊ/. IPA references: US /ˈbɜːroʊ/, UK/AU /ˈbɜːrəʊ/.
"The rabbit disappeared into its burrow as the storm approached."
"We found a fox’s burrow beneath the hedge."
"She tucked herself into a quiet burrow of a café to work."
"The archaeologists uncovered an ancient burrow that sheltered small animals."
Burrow comes from Middle English borowe, borrow, and Old English byrġ (ing ‘borough/dwelling’), influenced by Old French borre and Latin burrus in some early texts. The word evolved from a general sense of a hollow or cavity to a shelter or dwelling dug by an animal, then to a private or secluded place for people. In early usage, it described animal homes but gradually gained metaphorical senses—denoting retreat, security, or a hidden nook in human environments. First known use in English literature appears in medieval texts, with similar forms attested across Germanic languages, reflecting the universal human concept of a protected, concealed space and the adaptation of the term over centuries to both natural and domestic contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Burrow" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Burrow"
-row sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈbɜːroʊ/ (US) or /ˈbɜːrəʊ/ (UK/AU). The first syllable carries primary stress, with an open, mid-back vowel /ɜː/ followed by a rhotic or non-rhotic schwa-like middle depending on accent, then a clear /roʊ/ or /rəʊ/ with the /oʊ/ diphthong. Keep your lips relaxed at the start, then round slightly for the /oʊ/ glide. You’ll hear “bur-row” with a strong break after the first syllable.
Common mistakes: (1) Turning the first syllable into a pure /ɜ/ without the length; ensure length and quality of /ɜː/. (2) Flattening the second syllable to a quick /oʊ/ without the /r/ involvement in rhotic accents; include a smooth /roʊ/ or /rəʊ/ glide. (3) Mixing with ‘borrow’ without the rhoticity? If you’re in an American voice, keep the /ɜːr/ cluster before the vowel to avoid an /ə/ onset. Practice with minimal pairs: burrow vs borrow vs burro.
In US English, /ˈbɜːroʊ/ features rhotacized /ɜːr/ in many speakers, with a clear /roʊ/ ending. In many UK and AU contexts, you’ll hear /ˈbɜːrəʊ/ with non-rhoticity: the /r/ between syllables is less pronounced or silent, and the ending is /əʊ/ rather than /roʊ/. Australian English can be closer to US in rhotic speakers, but vowel quality may be somewhat rounded and the second syllable can be more centralized, especially before vowels.
Difficulties stem from the two-syllable sequence with a mid-back vowel in the first syllable and a rounded, high back diphthong in the second. The transition from /ɜː/ (or /ɜːr/) to /roʊ/ or /rəʊ/ requires precise lip rounding and jaw height changes. Additionally, rhoticity variation (US) versus non-rhotic accents (some UK/AU speakers) can make the /r/ segment tricky. Practicing the diphthong glide and the subtle /r/ coloring helps.
A distinctive feature is the ending diphthong that shifts from a mid-back vowel to a rounded high vowel, creating /roʊ/ or /rəʊ/. The presence or absence of the rhotic /r/ after the first vowel (song-like /ɜːr/ vs non-rhotic /ɜːə/ or /ɜː/) is a defining accent cue. Paying attention to whether your tongue curls back for rhotics in American speakers or relaxes away in other accents will help solidify the target sound.
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