hippopotamus
1 synonym for hippopotamus, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large, thick-skinned African mammal that spends much of its time in rivers and lakes.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
hippo
Etymology
From Greek hippopótamos, literally "river horse" (híppos "horse" + potamós "river").
Full origin of hippopotamus →Frequently asked questions
What does “hippopotamus” mean?
The word “hippopotamus” means a large, thick-skinned African mammal that spends much of its time in rivers and lakes. In plain terms, a big, semi-aquatic African animal, often just called a "hippo" for short.
How do you pronounce “hippopotamus”?
“Hippopotamus” is pronounced hihp-uh-POT-uh-muhs (/ˌhɪp.əˈpɑ.tə.məs/ in IPA).
How do you use “hippopotamus” in a sentence?
Here is “hippopotamus” used in a sentence: “A hippopotamus can weigh over a tonne despite its short legs.”
What part of speech is “hippopotamus”?
“Hippopotamus” is a noun.
Where does the word “hippopotamus” come from?
The word “hippopotamus” comes from Greek. From Greek hippopótamos, literally "river horse" (híppos "horse" + potamós "river").
