noun

porpoise

PAW-puhs

Porpoise (noun) means a small whale-like marine mammal related to dolphins, with a blunt snout. Example: “A pod of porpoises followed the ferry across the bay.”

noun

A small whale-like marine mammal related to dolphins, with a blunt snout.

"A pod of porpoises followed the ferry across the bay."

verb

To repeatedly leap out of the water and dive back in while swimming, in the manner of a porpoise.

"The dolphins porpoised alongside the boat."

How to use porpoise

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small, dolphin-like sea mammal, or the leaping-and-diving motion associated with it.

Common mistake

Porpoises and dolphins are different families — porpoises have blunter snouts and flatter, spade-shaped teeth.

Easily confused with

dolphin →

Word forms

porpoised past tense, porpoises plural, porpoises singular

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Can you complete this real example?

A pod of _____ followed the ferry across the bay.

Etymology

From Old French porpois, from Vulgar Latin porcopiscis, literally "hog-fish" — from porcus ("pig") and piscis ("fish").

Origin: Vulgar Latin

Rhymes for porpoise

rise wise vise Lise arise noise raise anise guise poise Elise Boise

See all rhymes for porpoise →

Frequently asked questions

What does “porpoise” mean?

The word “porpoise” means a small whale-like marine mammal related to dolphins, with a blunt snout. In plain terms, a small, dolphin-like sea mammal, or the leaping-and-diving motion associated with it.

How do you pronounce “porpoise”?

“Porpoise” is pronounced PAW-puhs (/ˈpɔːɹpəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “porpoise” in a sentence?

Here is “porpoise” used in a sentence: “A pod of porpoises followed the ferry across the bay.”

What part of speech is “porpoise”?

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

Where does the word “porpoise” come from?

The word “porpoise” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French porpois, from Vulgar Latin porcopiscis, literally "hog-fish" — from porcus ("pig") and piscis ("fish").

How many meanings does “porpoise” have?

“Porpoise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small whale-like marine mammal related to dolphins, with a blunt snout.