noun
echidna
uh-KIHD-nuh
Echidna (noun) means a small, spiny, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea, related to the platypus. Example: “The echidna curled into a spiky ball as soon as the dog approached.”
noun
1
A small, spiny, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea, related to the platypus.
"The echidna curled into a spiky ball as soon as the dog approached."
How to use echidna
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spiny, egg-laying Australian mammal, sometimes called a "spiny anteater."
Common pairings
spiny echidna
short-beaked echidna
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Word forms
- Plural
- echidnas, echidnae
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ curled into a spiky ball as soon as the dog approached.
Etymology
Coined in scientific Latin around 1811, probably from Greek ékhidna ("snake" or "viper"); some sources also link the name to Echidna, a serpent-woman of Greek mythology, since early naturalists were unsure whether the animal was mammal or reptile.
Synonyms
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anteater
spiny anteater
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “echidna” mean?
The word “echidna” means a small, spiny, egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea, related to the platypus. In plain terms, a spiny, egg-laying Australian mammal, sometimes called a "spiny anteater.".
How do you pronounce “echidna”?
“Echidna” is pronounced uh-KIHD-nuh (/əˈkɪdnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “echidna” in a sentence?
Here is “echidna” used in a sentence: “The echidna curled into a spiky ball as soon as the dog approached.”
What part of speech is “echidna”?
“Echidna” is a noun.
Where does the word “echidna” come from?
The word “echidna” dates back to around 1811 and comes from Latin.
