noun

tarsier

TAR-see-er

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Tarsier (noun) means a small, insect-eating primate with very large eyes and long feet, found mainly on islands in Southeast Asia. Example: “Its enormous eyes and long feet make the tarsier easy to identify among Southeast Asian primates.”

noun

A small, insect-eating primate with very large eyes and long feet, found mainly on islands in Southeast Asia.

"Its enormous eyes and long feet make the tarsier easy to identify among Southeast Asian primates."

"Tourists came to the reserve hoping to photograph a tarsier."

"A tarsier's enormous eyes help it hunt insects at night."

How to use tarsier

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tarsier is a tiny, big-eyed primate that comes out at night to hunt insects.

When to use it

Tarsier is a neutral term used in everyday and scientific writing about animals.

Memory tip

Stress the first syllable, TAR, and keep the final -er soft, as in 'farmer'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a tarsier's eyes spot a tarsier the Philippine tarsier a nocturnal tarsier

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Its enormous eyes and long feet make the _____ easy to identify among Southeast Asian primates.

Etymology

Tarsier came into English from French, which took it from Latin tarsus, itself from the Ancient Greek word for a flat woven surface.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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tarsiid

Rhymes for tarsier

bier tier pier crier skier trier Meier Grier Drier Xavier copier vizier

See all rhymes for tarsier →

Frequently asked questions

What is a tarsier?

A tarsier is a small primate with very large eyes, native to islands in Southeast Asia.

What does a tarsier eat?

Tarsiers are insectivorous, meaning they mainly eat insects.

Why are a tarsier's eyes so big?

Their large eyes help them see and hunt in the dark, since they are active at night.

What is the meaning of tarsier?

"tarsier" (noun) means a small, insect-eating primate with very large eyes and long feet, found mainly on islands in Southeast Asia.