plural vermin
1
a
: small common harmful or objectionable animals (such as lice or fleas) that are difficult to control
b
: birds and mammals that prey on game
c
: animals that at a particular time and place compete (as for food) with humans or domestic animals
2
: an offensive person
Examples of vermin in a Sentence
The room was crawling with roaches and other vermin.
the vermin who looted abandoned houses after the hurricane
Recent Examples on the Web
Sacramento County health inspectors closed a local Rite Aid drugstore after discovering roughly 140 rodent droppings, gnaw marks and other evidence of a vermin infestation.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
The pictures show a sink covered in ants; rat droppings in the kitchen and on some of the produce; tomatoes and avocados that had been partially eaten by vermin; and a gas line with its protective sheathing dangerously frayed.
—John McDermott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
july 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
Inspectors cited the Mexican restaurant numerous violations ranging from vermin activity to unclean surfaces.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vermin
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.
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated July 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2025
The pictures show a sink covered in ants; rat droppings in the kitchen and on some of the produce; tomatoes and avocados that had been partially eaten by vermin; and a gas line with its protective sheathing dangerously frayed.
—John McDermott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
july 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
Inspectors cited the Mexican restaurant numerous violations ranging from vermin activity to unclean surfaces.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vermin
Cite this Entry
“Vermin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vermin. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vermin
noun
ver·min
ˈvər-mən 
plural vermin
: small common harmful or objectionable animals (as fleas or mice) that are difficult to get rid of
Etymology
Middle English vermin "small animal pests," from early French vermin (same meaning), derived from Latin vermis "worm" — related to vermicelli
Word Origin
The word vermin is used for any small harmful or annoying insect or animal that is difficult to get rid of or control. Fleas, lice, mice, rats, and even rabbits when they destroy gardens have been called vermin. However, the word vermin comes from a Latin word for a creature that is not usually thought of as troublesome. The word is vermis, meaning "worm." The word vermicelli, which English borrowed from Italian, can also be traced back to the Latin vermis. The Italians used this word for "thin spaghetti" because the strands look like "little worms," which is what vermicelli means literally.
Medical Definition
vermin
noun
ver·min
ˈvər-mən
plural vermin
: small common harmful or objectionable animals (as lice or fleas) that are difficult to control
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share