vulpine

[ vuhl-pahyn, -pin ]

adjective

1. of or resembling a fox.
2. cunning or crafty.

vulpine

/ ˈvʌlpaɪn /

adjective

1. Alsovulpecularvʌlˈpɛkjʊlə of, relating to, or resembling a fox
2. possessing the characteristics often attributed to foxes; crafty, clever, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulpine¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin vulpīnus, equivalent to vulp(ēs) “fox” + -īnus adjective suffix; -ine ¹; from the same root as Greek alṓpēx and alōpós “fox”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vulpine¹

C17: from Latin vulpīnus foxlike, from vulpēs a fox

Example Sentences

Either way, the concept is best encapsulated by Jack Donaghy, the vulpine executive portrayed by Alec Baldwin in the presumably now problematic sitcom “30 Rock.”

From New York Times

Bovine is to cow as vulpine is to which animal?

From Slate

His voice could convey flirtatiousness, amusement, heartache or wily agility, and his syncopated phrasing was as close to jazz as to traditional blues, leaping easily into falsetto or letting loose a vulpine howl.

From New York Times

His vulpine grin reveals a missing tooth.

From New York Times

Sharon Moores of Woodbridge shared a photo of some different vulpine behavior.

From Washington Post