noun
hippopotamus
hihp-uh-POT-uh-muhs
Hippopotamus (noun) means a large, thick-skinned African mammal that spends much of its time in rivers and lakes. Example: “A hippopotamus can weigh over a tonne despite its short legs.”
noun
1
A large, thick-skinned African mammal that spends much of its time in rivers and lakes.
"A hippopotamus can weigh over a tonne despite its short legs."
"Tourists watched a hippopotamus wade slowly into the river."
How to use hippopotamus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, semi-aquatic African animal, often just called a "hippo" for short.
Memory tip
The informal short form "hippo" is far more common in everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- hippopotami, hippopotamuses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ can weigh over a tonne despite its short legs.
Etymology
From Greek hippopótamos, literally "river horse" (híppos "horse" + potamós "river").
Synonyms
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hippo
Rhymes for hippopotamus
See all rhymes for 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").
