Hampster vs. Hamster: The Correct Spellings

Hampster is the erroneous spelling, and hamster is the correct form of the word. The difference lies in the unnecessary “p” present in hampster. Hamster is spelled H-A-M-S-T-E-R and represents a small, burrowing rodent.

A simple and effective trick to remember the correct spelling is to think of the hamster’s behavior of “hoarding,” which does not include a “p” in it, so the correct spelling is hamster, without a “p.”

The term hamster can morph into various forms like hamster’s (possessive form) and hamsters (plural form) to suit different grammatical applications while maintaining its original meaning.

The incorrect spelling, hampster, probably stems from a common mispronunciation of the word. Hamsters are known for their cheek pouches and nocturnal lifestyle, and they are popular as pets due to their manageable size and demeanor. Originating from the German word “hamstern,” meaning to hoard, hamsters are named for their behavior of collecting and storing food.

Incorrect: The hampster escaped from its cage last night.

Correct: The hamster escaped from its cage last night.

Incorrect: We need to buy more hampster food this weekend.

Correct: We need to buy more hamster food this weekend.

Incorrect: She brought her hampster to school for show-and-tell.

Correct: She brought her hamster to school for show-and-tell.

Incorrect: His hampster loves to run in its wheel.

Correct: His hamster loves to run in its wheel.

Incorrect: My daughter wants a hampster for her birthday.

Correct: My daughter wants a hamster for her birthday.

A hamster is often nocturnal, usually active during the night and resting during the day.

A hamster is known for having expandable cheek pouches to carry food.

In common usage, hamster refers to a domesticated pet, typically a Golden or Syrian hamster.

Hamster can also refer to a wild rodent species, often found in Europe and Asia.

A hamster is a small, short-tailed rodent, belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae.

A small Eurasian rodent of the subfamily Cricetinae, especially Mesocricetus auratus, having large cheek pouches and a short tail and often kept as a pet or used in laboratory research.

Any of various Old-World rodent species belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae.

especially, the golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, and the dwarf hamsters of genus Phodopus, often kept as a pet or used in scientific research.

Other rodents of similar appearance, such as the maned hamster or crested hamster, Lophiomys imhausi, mouse-like hamsters of genus Calomyscus, and the white-tailed rat (Mystromys albicaudatus).

(ambitransitive) To secrete or store privately, as a hamster does with food in its cheek pouches.

A small European rodent (Cricetus frumentarius). It is remarkable for having a pouch on each side of the jaw, under the skin, and for its migrations. Hamsters are commonly kept as a pets.

short-tailed Old World burrowing rodent with large cheek pouches

He built a maze for his hamster to explore.

At night, the hamster ran miles on its exercise wheel.

Her hamster likes to hide in cardboard tubes.

He was surprised by how quickly the hamster filled its cheek pouches.

The hamster stuffed its cheeks full of food.

They adopted a hamster from the local pet store.

Watching the hamster groom itself was fascinating.

Their hamster has a habit of chewing on the cage bars.

The hamster has a special water bottle attached to its cage.

They set up a playpen for the hamster to exercise safely.

He made a DIY toy for his hamster out of toilet paper rolls.

The children learned how to gently hold the hamster.

The hamster enjoyed a diet of seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

The vet gave them advice on hamster nutrition.

The hamster peeked out from under its bedding when it heard them approach.

They bought a hamster because it's a low-maintenance pet.

She found the hamster asleep in a cozy nest it had made.

She researched how to provide the best care for her hamster.

Their hamster has a distinctive black and white coat.

Watching the hamster nibble on a carrot was adorable.

Working hard without achieving desired results.

Initiating or continuing a process without considering its pointlessness.

Continuously working on small tasks without focusing on bigger goals.

To keep someone busy with tasks that don't lead to progress.

Doing a lot of activity but not making any progress.

Describes someone who fills their cheeks with food like a hamster.

The repetitive, monotonous routine of daily life.

To break free from a repetitive, unfulfilling routine.

Taking a break or pausing activity to rest.

Starting up activity or getting busy after a period of rest.

Something very small or insignificant.

To increase effort or pace in an activity that's already demanding.

Being very active or busy.

The spelling hampster is incorrect as it introduces an unnecessary “p,” deviating from the correct form, hamster, which accurately represents the small rodent.

Yes, hamster can have different grammatical forms such as hamsters (plural) and hamster’s (possessive), each maintaining the inherent meaning of the small, burrowing rodent.

Hampster is the incorrect spelling of the word, and the right spelling is hamster, a small rodent often kept as a pet.

Hamster is correctly spelled as H-A-M-S-T-E-R, depicting a small, burrowing rodent known for its cheek pouches.

Yes, hamsters are typically nocturnal, being more active during the night and usually sleeping or resting during the day.

The word hamster originates from the German word “hamstern,” which means to hoard, reflecting the rodent’s characteristic behavior of collecting and storing food.

While the word hamster predominantly refers to the small rodent, it’s mostly used in the context of pets, biology, and ecology, describing either the domesticated or wild species of the rodent.

A characteristic feature of a hamster is its expandable cheek pouches, which it uses to carry and store food, reflecting its hoarding behavior.

Remembering the correct spelling of hamster can be facilitated by focusing on the word “hoard,” as hamsters are known to hoard food, and there is no “p” in hoard, similarly, there is no “p” in hamster.

Hamsters have varying social behaviors; while some species are solitary, preferring to be alone, others can be more social, yet their interactions may require careful management to avoid conflicts.