noun
possum
PO-suhm
Possum (noun) means a tree-dwelling marsupial native to Australia and nearby islands. Example: “A possum rustled through the eucalyptus leaves at night.”
noun
1
A tree-dwelling marsupial native to Australia and nearby islands.
"A possum rustled through the eucalyptus leaves at night."
2
In American usage, an opossum, a marsupial found throughout the Americas.
"A possum played dead on the porch until the dog left."
verb
1
To "play possum": to pretend to be asleep, sick, or dead.
"He played possum so his sister would stop bothering him."
How to use possum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA marsupial (different species in Australia vs. the Americas), or to fake being asleep or dead.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
play possum
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Word forms
- Plural
- possums
- Third person singular
- possums
- Past tense
- possumed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ rustled through the eucalyptus leaves at night.
Etymology
A shortened form of "opossum," dropping the initial vowel sound.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for possum
See all rhymes for possum →Frequently asked questions
What does “possum” mean?
The word “possum” means a tree-dwelling marsupial native to Australia and nearby islands. In plain terms, a marsupial (different species in Australia vs. the Americas), or to fake being asleep or dead.
How do you pronounce “possum”?
“Possum” is pronounced PO-suhm (/ˈpɒsəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “possum” in a sentence?
Here is “possum” used in a sentence: “A possum rustled through the eucalyptus leaves at night.”
What part of speech is “possum”?
Depending on how it is used, “possum” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “possum” have?
“Possum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree-dwelling marsupial native to Australia and nearby islands.
