wolverine

noun

wol·​ver·​ine ˌwu̇l-və-ˈrēn How to pronounce wolverine (audio)
plural wolverines
1
plural also wolverine
a
: a carnivorous usually solitary mammal (Gulo gulo) of the weasel family of northern forests and associated tundra that is dark brown with a light brown band on each side of the body and is noted for its strength
b
: the fur of the wolverine
2
Wolverine : a native or resident of Michigan
—used as a nickname

Illustration of wolverine

Illustration of wolverine
  • wolverine 1a

Examples of wolverine 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.
Prince Avenue Christian’s Jon Richt learned a lot during his first season leading the Wolverines. — Hunter Delauder, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Max’s consistency kept him so prominently in his coaches’ minds that when former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh approached his own father about supplementing the Wolverines’ offense with a fullback, Jack Harbaugh suggested Max as a fit. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 In Marvel’s Wolverine, featuring Spartacus alum Liam McIntyre as the titular mutant, the actress now plays Tyger Tiger. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026 Marvel Tokon stands in stark contrast to Marvel's Wolverine, the year's other big Marvel game. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wolverine

Word History

Etymology

probably irregular from wolv- (as in wolves)

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of wolverine was in 1574

Rhymes for wolverine

See All Rhymes for wolverine

Browse Nearby Words

Wolverhampton
wolverine
wolvish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wolverine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wolverine. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wolverine

noun
wol·​ver·​ine ˌwu̇l-və-ˈrēn How to pronounce wolverine (audio)
plural wolverines also wolverine
: a mostly dark brown mammal with shaggy fur that is related to the weasels, martens, and sables, eats flesh, and is found chiefly in northern forests

More from Merriam-Webster on wolverine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wolverine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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