noun
Meaning 1
An informer or spy; a traitor.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rat, fink
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
ratfink
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɹætfɪŋk/
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Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
noun
Meaning 2
A dislikable or contemptible person.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US, also, attributive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rat, fink
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
A strikebreaker.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rat, fink, scab
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To inform on; to betray.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From rat + fink.
Across languages
Translations
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Russian: шпио́н (špión) — informer or spy
- Russian: подо́нок (podónok) — dislikeable or contemptible person