A porcupine is a large rodentA small-to-medium mammal with front teeth that grow continuously, like mice and squirrels. covered with sharp quillsLong, stiff, sharp spines that cover and protect the animal.. People often use the word when talking about the animal itself, or more looselyIn a not exact or strict way; more generally. when describing something or someone that seems spiky or hard to approach.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈpɔrkjəˌpaɪn/
Easy pronunciation: POR-kyuh-PINE (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the first syllable, with secondary stress on the last syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Porcupine Meaning
a large rodent covered in sharp quills
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a relatively large rodent with sharp, erectile quills mixed in with its fur
Example: We saw a porcupine near the trail after dark.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- hedgehog — Related animal, but not a true synonym in strict usage; hedgehogs are different animals and much smaller.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing porcupine with hedgehog. They are different animals, even though both have spines or quills.
- Using porcupine as a direct synonym for hedgehog in formal or precise writing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does porcupine mean?
Porcupine means a large rodent with sharp quills for protection.
Is porcupine the same as hedgehog?
No. They are different animals, though both have spiny coverings.
What is a simple definition of porcupine?
A porcupine is a large rodent covered with sharp quills.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.