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noun Uncommon

Pluto

PLOO-toh

Pluto (noun) means the Roman god of the underworld. Example: “In mythology, Pluto ruled the realm of the dead.”

noun
1
The Roman god of the underworld.
"In mythology, Pluto ruled the realm of the dead."
2
A dwarf planet in the outer solar system, once classified as the ninth planet.
"Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006."
verb
1
(informal) To demote or downgrade something in status.
"Critics joked the team had been plutoed to a lower division."

How to use Pluto

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe mythological god, the dwarf planet, or (as slang) to demote something.

Common pairings
the planet Pluto god of the underworld

Word forms

plutoed past tense, plutos singular

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In mythology, _____ ruled the realm of the dead.

Etymology

From Latin "Plūtō", from Greek "Ploútōn", god of the underworld; the informal verb sense arose after the dwarf planet Pluto was demoted from full planet status in 2006.

Origin: Latin · First attested 2006

Class of 2006 Pluto joined the language around 2006.
See the full Class of 2006 →
Hades Aides Aidoneus

Related words

Rhymes for Pluto

See all rhymes for Pluto →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Pluto” mean?

The word “Pluto” means the Roman god of the underworld. In plain terms, the mythological god, the dwarf planet, or (as slang) to demote something.

How do you pronounce “Pluto”?

“Pluto” is pronounced PLOO-toh (/ˈplutoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Pluto” in a sentence?

Here is “Pluto” used in a sentence: “In mythology, Pluto ruled the realm of the dead.”

What part of speech is “Pluto”?

Depending on how it is used, “Pluto” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “Pluto” come from?

The word “Pluto” dates back to around 2006 and comes from Latin. From Latin "Plūtō", from Greek "Ploútōn", god of the underworld; the informal verb sense arose after the dwarf planet Pluto was demoted from full planet status in 2006.

Is “Pluto” a common word?

“Pluto” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Pluto” have?

“Pluto” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Roman god of the underworld.

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