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Definition of hippopotamus

hippopotamus

/ˌhɪp.əˈpɑː.t̬ə.məs/
hip · po · pot · a · mus
Plural:hippopotamuses
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hippopotamus Lexical Profile

hippopotamus Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A massive, thick-skinned, semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by its wide-opening mouth, large canine tusks, short legs, and mostly herbivorous diet.

Example

"During the wildlife documentary, researchers observed a large hippopotamus submerging itself in the muddy river to escape the midday heat."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hippopotamus

• Rhymes for hippopotamus

• Nearby Words

hinge back tortoise
hippeastrum
hippocrepis
hippopotamus
hiroshima
hispaniolan boa
hitch

Word Origin & Etymology

From the Greek word 'hippopotamos', derived from 'hippos' (horse) and 'potamos' (river), literally translating to 'river horse'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hippopotamus. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hippopotamus
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