noun
platypus
PLA-tih-puhs
Platypus (noun) means an egg-laying, semi-aquatic Australian mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. Example: “The platypus is one of only a few mammals that lay eggs.”
noun
1
An egg-laying, semi-aquatic Australian mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail.
"The platypus is one of only a few mammals that lay eggs."
How to use platypus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strange-looking egg-laying mammal from Australia with a duck-like bill.
Memory tip
The usual plural in English is "platypuses" (sometimes "platypus"); the classical form "platypi" is technically wrong since the word is Greek, not Latin.
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Word forms
- Plural
- platypuses, platypi, platypodes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ is one of only a few mammals that lay eggs.
Etymology
From Greek platypous, "flat-footed" — platys, "flat," plus pous, "foot."
Synonyms
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duckbill
Frequently asked questions
What does “platypus” mean?
The word “platypus” means an egg-laying, semi-aquatic Australian mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. In plain terms, a strange-looking egg-laying mammal from Australia with a duck-like bill.
How do you pronounce “platypus”?
“Platypus” is pronounced PLA-tih-puhs (/ˈplætɪˌpʊs/ in IPA).
How do you use “platypus” in a sentence?
Here is “platypus” used in a sentence: “The platypus is one of only a few mammals that lay eggs.”
What part of speech is “platypus”?
“Platypus” is a noun.
Where does the word “platypus” come from?
The word “platypus” comes from Greek. From Greek platypous, "flat-footed" — platys, "flat," plus pous, "foot.".
