noun
walrus
WAWL-ruhs
Walrus (noun) means a large Arctic marine mammal with tusks, thick wrinkled skin, and flippers. Example: “A walrus hauled itself onto the ice floe to rest.”
noun
1
A large Arctic marine mammal with tusks, thick wrinkled skin, and flippers.
"A walrus hauled itself onto the ice floe to rest."
2
Informally, a man with a thick, drooping moustache resembling a walrus's.
"One, a rumpled, whiskered walrus of a man, held a lantern near Mother's face."
— Marione Ingram, The Hands of War (2013)
"Her grandfather sported an impressive walrus moustache."
"You old walrus, don't you think it is time for you to lop your whiskers off?"
— James E. Martin, The Chartreuse Mongoose (2008)
How to use walrus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tusked Arctic sea mammal, or a bushy drooping moustache named after it.
Common pairings
walrus moustache
walrus tusks
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Word forms
- Plural
- walruses, walrusses, walri, walrii
- Third person singular
- walruses, walrusses
- Past tense
- walrussed, walrused
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ hauled itself onto the ice floe to rest.
Etymology
Borrowed from Dutch walrus, itself a blend of wal ("whale") and ros ("horse") — an old sailors' description of the animal as part-whale, part-horse.
Synonyms
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seahorse
Frequently asked questions
What does “walrus” mean?
The word “walrus” means a large Arctic marine mammal with tusks, thick wrinkled skin, and flippers. In plain terms, the tusked Arctic sea mammal, or a bushy drooping moustache named after it.
How do you pronounce “walrus”?
“Walrus” is pronounced WAWL-ruhs (/ˈwɑl.ɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “walrus” in a sentence?
Here is “walrus” used in a sentence: “A walrus hauled itself onto the ice floe to rest.”
What part of speech is “walrus”?
“Walrus” is a noun.
Where does the word “walrus” come from?
The word “walrus” comes from Dutch. Borrowed from Dutch walrus, itself a blend of wal ("whale") and ros ("horse") — an old sailors' description of the animal as part-whale, part-horse.
How many meanings does “walrus” have?
“Walrus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large Arctic marine mammal with tusks, thick wrinkled skin, and flippers.
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