DictionaryAI

deer

noun
SayDEER/dɪɹ/UK/dɪə/

Pluraldeer

3 meanings of deer

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  1. 1
    nouncountable
    A hoofed, plant-eating animal of the family Cervidae, the males of which usually grow antlers; in everyday use often the smaller kinds rather than moose or elk.

    A deer slipped quietly between the trees at dusk.

    Several deer crossed the highway just before sunrise.

    UsageDepending on the species, males may be called stags or bucks, females does or hinds, and young fawns or calves.

    Note

    This broad sense also covers look-alikes from related families. The musk deer, for instance, is set apart taxonomically from the true deer by traits such as its gall bladder.

    Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  2. 2
    venisonnoununcountable
    The meat of a deer, obtained through hunting or from specialized deer farms; venison.

    My uncle served deer at the barbecue, and most guests thought it was beef.

    Slow-roasted deer pairs well with juniper and red wine.

    UsageOn menus and in shops it is usually called venison.

    Similarvenison

  3. 3
    nounobsoletecountable
    Any animal, especially a four-footed mammal rather than a bird, fish, or other creature.
    But mice and rats and such small deer, have been Tom's food for seven long year.
    1606, William Shakespeare, King Lear
    Note

    The meaning the word began with: Old English dēor meant simply "animal," from an Indo-European root for "breath." A deer was once any living, breathing creature. The general sense is obsolete except in the fixed phrase small deer, which Shakespeare applies to mice and rats in King Lear (1608). Only later did the word narrow to the hoofed cervid.

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 6 facts

    • The original meaning was broadly animal, rather than specifically a cervid. en.wikipedia.org
    • The word derives ultimately from an Indo-European root associated with breath. en.wiktionary.org
    • Deer formerly referred to animals generally. en.wiktionary.org
    • Shakespeare uses small deer to include mice and rats in King Lear; the character speaking is Edgar. folger.edu
    • King Lear was first published in 1608. The date 1606 relates to its early performance history. shakespearedocumented.folger.edu
    • The word developed a narrower meaning after its original broad animal sense. en.wikipedia.org

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Origin

Old English dēor ("animal") became Middle English der or deer ("animal, deer"). It goes back through Proto-Germanic *deuzą to a Proto-Indo-European word *dʰewsóm ("living thing"), related to *dʰéws ("breath"). Dutch dier, German Tier, and Swedish djur, all meaning "animal," are cognates.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 7 facts

  • Old English dēor meant 'animal' and developed into Middle English der or deer, meaning 'animal, deer'. en.wiktionary.org
  • The word descends from Proto-Germanic *deuzą. en.wiktionary.org
  • *dʰewsóm is a reconstructed word derived ultimately from the root *dʰwes- ('to breathe; to smoke'), rather than itself a root. en.wiktionary.org
  • *dʰewsóm is related to *dʰéws, meaning 'breath'. en.wiktionary.org
  • Dutch dier means 'animal' and is cognate with deer. en.wiktionary.org
  • German Tier means 'animal' and is cognate with deer. en.wiktionary.org
  • Swedish djur means 'animal' and is cognate with deer. en.wiktionary.org