groundhog

Everyday

1. A groundhog is a North American animal, a large brown rodent that lives in burrows and sleeps through the winter; it is also called a woodchuck. tree →
2. Groundhog Day is a custom in the USA and Canada where people watch a groundhog come out of its burrow: if it sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. tree →
3. (informal) «Groundhog Day» means a situation that keeps repeating in the same boring way, from a famous film. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about hibernation and in American and Canadian culture. The weather custom is folklore, not science. Phrases: «Groundhog Day», «like Groundhog Day».

Examples

• The groundhog dug a burrow under the shed. tree →
• Groundhogs hibernate all winter. tree →
• On Groundhog Day everyone waits to see the groundhog's shadow. tree →
• The groundhog saw its shadow, so the story says winter will last longer. tree →
• A groundhog is also called a woodchuck. tree →
• How much wood would a woodchuck chuck? tree →
• Every day at the bus stop is like Groundhog Day. tree →
• Groundhogs eat plants and can whistle when scared. tree →

Note

Countable. Myth: groundhogs cannot really predict the weather; the custom is for fun. Groundhog and woodchuck are the same animal.