tarsier
1 synonym for tarsier, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small, insect-eating primate with very large eyes and long feet, found mainly on islands in Southeast Asia.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
tarsiid
How to use tarsier
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a tarsier's eyes
spot a tarsier
the Philippine tarsier
a nocturnal tarsier
Tarsier is a neutral term used in everyday and scientific writing about animals.
Etymology
Tarsier came into English from French, which took it from Latin tarsus, itself from the Ancient Greek word for a flat woven surface.
Full origin of tarsier →Frequently asked questions
What is a tarsier?
A tarsier is a small primate with very large eyes, native to islands in Southeast Asia.
What does a tarsier eat?
Tarsiers are insectivorous, meaning they mainly eat insects.
Why are a tarsier's eyes so big?
Their large eyes help them see and hunt in the dark, since they are active at night.
