Bunny vs. Rabbit: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Bunny is an informal, endearing term for a rabbit, often referring to a young or small rabbit.
Key Differences
The term "bunny" typically conveys a sense of affection and is often used when referring to young, small, or particularly cute rabbits. It's a colloquial and affectionate term, not a scientific one. In contrast, "rabbit" is the formal term used to describe the mammal belonging to the family Leporidae. This term is used in both casual and scientific contexts and refers to the animal in general, regardless of age or size.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 14, 2023
"Bunny" often evokes an image of a small, fluffy, and approachable animal, and is frequently used in popular culture and children's literature to depict rabbits as gentle and friendly creatures. The Easter Bunny, for example, is a cultural icon stemming from this term. On the other hand, "rabbit" is a more neutral term that doesn't inherently carry these connotations of size, age, or demeanor, and is used broadly to refer to the animal in various contexts, including culinary (rabbit meat), wildlife (wild rabbits), and pet ownership.
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Dec 14, 2023
In literature and media, "bunny" is often used to create a more intimate or whimsical connection with the character or subject. It's a term that tends to humanize or endear the animal to the audience. In contrast, "rabbit" is used in more formal or factual contexts, such as in scientific discussions, wildlife documentaries, or when referring to the species in a more detached, objective manner.
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Dec 14, 2023
Linguistically, "bunny" can be seen as a diminutive or a term of endearment, similar to how "kitty" is to "cat" or "puppy" is to "dog". It's often used in the context of pets or domesticated animals. "Rabbit", however, is a straightforward term that refers to the animal in any context, without implying any specific characteristics about its age, size, or disposition.
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Dec 14, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Connotation
Suggests cuteness and small size.
Neutral, refers to the animal broadly.
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Usage in Literature
Used to create intimacy, whimsy.
Used in more factual, detached contexts.
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Cultural References
Associated with endearment (e.g., Easter Bunny).
Used in a variety of contexts without specific cultural connotations.
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Age and Size Implication
Often implies a young or small rabbit.
No specific implication about age or size.
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Bunny and Rabbit Definitions
Bunny
A small, cute, often young rabbit.
The little girl was delighted to find a bunny in her backyard.
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Dec 09, 2023
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Rabbit
A source of meat and fur in various cultures.
Rabbit stew is a traditional dish in some regions.
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Bunny
An affectionate term for a pet rabbit.
My daughter has a bunny named Fluffy that she adores.
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Rabbit
A small mammal known for its long ears and ability to hop.
The rabbit in the garden was nibbling on the carrots.
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Dec 09, 2023
Bunny
A character in children's stories symbolizing innocence and playfulness.
In the story, the bunny hopped through the forest, making new friends.
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Rabbit
A term used in biology to classify certain species in the Leporidae family.
The European rabbit is a well-studied species in animal biology.
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Dec 09, 2023
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Bunny
A diminutive term used for rabbits in a domestic setting.
We set up a special area in our home for our new bunny.
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Rabbit
A wild or domesticated species found in various environments.
Wild rabbits are a common sight in the countryside.
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Dec 09, 2023
Bunny
A term used in pop culture to represent a rabbit, often anthropomorphized.
The cartoon featured a clever bunny outsmarting its foes.
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Dec 09, 2023
Rabbit
A creature often used as a symbol of fertility or rebirth.
In folklore, the rabbit is often associated with springtime and renewal.
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Dec 09, 2023
Rabbit
Any of various long-eared, short-tailed, burrowing mammals of the family Leporidae, such as the commonly domesticated species Oryctolagus cuniculus, native to Europe and widely introduced elsewhere, or the cottontail of the Americas.
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Dec 08, 2023
Bunny
(Sports) A shot that is uncontested or should be easily made, as in basketball.
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Bunny
A bunny girl: a nightclub waitress who wears a costume having rabbit ears and tail.
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Rabbit
A competitor who is designated to set a fast pace for a teammate during a long-distance race.
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Bunny
(sports) In basketball, an easy shot (i.e., one right next to the bucket) that is missed.
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Rabbit
A racehorse that is run at a fast pace early in a race in order to tire the favorite so that another horse can take the lead.
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Rabbit
A mechanical decoy that is propelled around the track in a greyhound race to incite the dogs.
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Bunny
(mining) A sudden enlargement or mass of ore, as opposed to a vein or lode.
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Rabbit
A mammal of the family Leporidae, with long ears, long hind legs and a short, fluffy tail.
The pioneers survived by eating the small game they could get: rabbits, squirrels and occasionally a raccoon.
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Bunny
A chine or gully formed by water running over the edge of a cliff; a wooded glen or small ravine opening through the cliff line to the sea.
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Rabbit
(uncountable) The fur of a rabbit typically used to imitate another animal's fur.
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Rabbit
A runner in a distance race whose goal is mainly to set the pace, either to tire a specific rival so that a teammate can win or to help another break a record; a pacesetter.
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Bunny
A brick arch or wooden bridge, covered with earth across a drawn or carriage in a water-meadow, just wide enough to allow a hay-wagon to pass over.
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Rabbit
(cricket) A very poor batsman; selected as a bowler or wicket-keeper.
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Rabbit
(comptheory) A large element at the beginning of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to be quickly swapped into its correct position. Compare turtle.
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Rabbit
Rarebit; Welsh rabbit or a similar dish: melted cheese served atop toast.
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Rabbit
A pneumatically-controlled tool used to insert small samples of material inside the core of a nuclear reactor.
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Bunny
A great collection of ore without any vein coming into it or going out from it.
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Rabbit
To flee.
The informant seemed skittish, as if he was about to rabbit.
When the three friends heard someone behind them yell, "police, freeze!" they each rabbited in a different direction.
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Dec 08, 2023
Bunny
A young waitress in a night club whose costume includes a rabbit-tail and ears
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Rabbit
To talk incessantly and in a childish manner; to babble annoyingly.
Rabbit on
Stop your infernal rabbiting! Use proper words or nobody will listen to you!
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Rabbit
Any of the smaller species of the genus Lepus, especially the common European species (Lepus cuniculus), which is often kept as a pet, and has been introduced into many countries. It is remarkably prolific, and has become a pest in some parts of Australia and New Zealand.
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Rabbit
Any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
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Rabbit
Flesh of any of various rabbits or hares (wild or domesticated) eaten as food
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a bunny?
A bunny is an informal term for a rabbit, often implying youth or small size.
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Dec 14, 2023
Are bunnies good pets?
Yes, bunnies can be good pets; they are known for being quiet and relatively easy to care for.
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Can 'bunny' and 'rabbit' be used interchangeably?
Yes, but 'bunny' is more affectionate and informal, while 'rabbit' is more formal and general.
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Dec 14, 2023
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits typically eat a diet of hay, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets.
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How long do rabbits live?
Rabbits can live up to 10 years or more when properly cared for.
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Can bunnies be litter trained?
Yes, bunnies can be litter trained with patience and consistency.
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Are all rabbits the same species?
No, there are many species of rabbits, each with unique characteristics.
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Is there a physical difference between a bunny and a rabbit?
No, the terms refer to the same animal, but 'bunny' often implies a smaller or younger rabbit.
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Dec 14, 2023
Is 'bunny' a scientific term?
No, 'bunny' is not a scientific term; it's a colloquial term of endearment.
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Dec 14, 2023
What is a rabbit?
A rabbit is a small mammal known for its long ears and ability to hop, belonging to the family Leporidae.
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Do rabbits need companions?
Rabbits are social animals and often benefit from having a companion rabbit.
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Are bunnies wild animals?
While the term 'bunny' often refers to domesticated rabbits, wild rabbits can also be called bunnies informally.
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Do rabbits hibernate?
No, rabbits do not hibernate but may reduce their activity during the winter.
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Do rabbits have good vision?
Yes, rabbits have good vision, with a wide field of view, although they have a small blind spot in front of their nose.
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How do bunnies communicate?
Bunnies communicate through a variety of means including body language, vocalizations, and scent marking.
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Are rabbits rodents?
No, rabbits are not rodents; they belong to the order Lagomorpha.
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What is the natural habitat of a rabbit?
Rabbits are adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats including meadows, woods, forests, grasslands, deserts, and wetlands.
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Can bunnies swim?
While not natural swimmers, bunnies can swim if necessary.
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How fast can a rabbit run?
Rabbits can run at speeds up to 40 mph in short bursts to escape predators.
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Dec 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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