vermin
gb/vˈɚmɪn/ us/vˈɚmɪn/
B2
English
kártevő, féreg, dúvad
NOUN
B2
1
kártevő
B1
Usage pattern:
[vermin] in/around [place]
The restaurant was closed after inspectors found signs of vermin in the kitchen.
Az éttermet bezárták, miután az ellenőrök kártevők nyomait találták a konyhában.
They sealed the gaps under the doors to stop vermin getting into the house.
Lezárták az ajtók alatti réseket, hogy a kártevők ne jussanak be a házba.
The farm hired a specialist to deal with vermin in the grain store.
Learner examples
There are vermin in the shed.
Kártevők vannak a fészerben.
We need to keep vermin out of the house.
Meg kell akadályoznunk, hogy a kártevők bejussanak a házba.
Common mistake:
Learners often treat it as a countable singular (*a vermin*). In this sense it is usually uncountable/collective: vermin (not vermins).
Meaning
pest animals and insects
Collocations
vermin control
|a vermin problem
|a vermin infestation
|vermin-proof containers
|rats and other vermin
|house vermin
|get rid of vermin
|vermin in the attic
|vermin in the basement
|keep vermin out
Synonyms
pests (General word for animals/insects that cause trouble.)
|
rodents (More specific; refers mainly to rats, mice, etc.)
|
infestation (Refers to the problem/state, not the animals themselves.)
Themes
animals
|daily_life
|home
|health
Definition
unwanted animals or insects that cause problems
small animals or insects, especially rats and mice, that are harmful, dirty, or difficult to control, often because they damage property or spread disease
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
2
féreg
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/are vermin
The article was criticized for describing migrants as vermin.
A cikket bírálták, amiért a migránsokat férgeknek nevezte.
He was fired after calling his coworkers vermin during an argument.
Kirúgták, miután egy vita közben férgeknek nevezte a munkatársait.
Using language like ‘vermin’ to describe people encourages hatred.
Learner examples
It is very rude to call someone vermin.
Nagyon sértő valakit féregnek nevezni.
Common mistake:
Because it is strongly insulting and dehumanizing, it can sound extreme in everyday conversation.
Meaning
despised person or group
Collocations
filthy vermin
|dirty vermin
|human vermin
|call them vermin
|treat people like vermin
|regard someone as vermin
Synonyms
scum (Common insult; slightly less animal-like than vermin.)
|
trash (Insult suggesting worthlessness; often more casual.)
|
lowlife (Focuses on immoral behavior rather than being a ‘pest’.)
Antonyms
decent person (Someone viewed as respectable rather than contemptible.)
|
honorable person (Emphasizes moral worth, opposite of the insult.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|conflict
Definition
an insulting word for people you hate or strongly disrespect
a very offensive word for a person or group of people considered disgusting, cruel, or worthless
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
dúvad
C1
Usage pattern:
kill/shoot/trap [vermin]
The estate manager set traps to deal with vermin around the pheasant pens.
A birtok intézője csapdákat állított, hogy elbánjon a dúvaddal a fácánólak körül.
Some people object to labeling foxes as vermin.
Vannak, akik ellenzik, hogy a rókákat dúvadnak minősítsék.
Local rules determine which animals can be controlled as vermin.
Meaning
animals targeted as pests
Collocations
shoot vermin
|trap vermin
|vermin hunting
|vermin control licence
|vermin on the estate
|vermin traps
Synonyms
pest animals (Neutral term; avoids the hunting/gamekeeping association.)
|
nuisance wildlife (Common modern phrasing in management contexts.)
Antonyms
protected species (Animals legally protected rather than targeted.)
Themes
animals
|farming
|outdoors
Definition
wild animals that people try to kill because they cause damage
wild animals regarded as pests and legally or traditionally killed to protect crops, livestock, or game birds
Grammar
Dictionary form
vermin
IPA
GB/vˈɚmɪn/
US/vˈɚmɪn/
Syllables & stress
ver - min (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ver)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vermin
- Plural: vermin
Expressions
treat [someone] like vermin
1/tɹˈit sˈʌmwˌʌn lˈaɪk vˈɚmɪn/
idiom
informal
dehumanize and mistreat
to treat people very badly, as if they are not human
Examples
- The inquiry found that prisoners had been treated like vermin.
- No one should be treated like vermin because of where they come from.
- She spoke out after seeing homeless people treated like vermin.
Learner examples
- It is wrong to treat anyone like vermin.
vermin control
1/vˈɚmɪn kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
pest removal and prevention
work to stop and remove pests like rats
Examples
- The landlord called vermin control when tenants reported scratching noises in the walls.
- Good waste management is essential for vermin control in cities.
- We scheduled regular vermin control inspections for the warehouse.
Learner examples
- We need vermin control for this building.
vermin infestation
1/vˈɚmɪn ɪnfˈɛstˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
severe pest presence
a place has many pests
Examples
- The hotel refunded guests after a vermin infestation was discovered.
- Old buildings can be vulnerable to vermin infestation if gaps aren’t sealed.
- They had to replace the insulation because of vermin infestation.
Learner examples
- There is a vermin infestation in the basement.
vermin-infested
1/vˈɚmɪn ɪnfˈɛstɪd/
fixed phrase
full of pests
with many pests living there
Examples
- They moved out of the vermin-infested apartment immediately.
- The report described vermin-infested storage rooms behind the shop.
- The building was condemned as unsafe and vermin-infested.
Learner examples
- The room was vermin-infested.