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Definition of matamata

matamata

/ˌmɑːtəˈmɑːtə/
ma · ta · ma · ta
Plural:matamatas
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matamata Lexical Profile

matamata Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A large, highly camouflaged freshwater turtle native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America, characterized by a flat, rugged shell and a distinctive, leaf-like triangular head used to ambush fish.

Example

"Lying completely motionless at the bottom of the shallow stream, the matamata perfectly mimicked a pile of dead leaves until a small fish swam too close."

• Rhymes for matamata

• Nearby Words

masturbator
mat
matador
matamata
matamuhuri
matanuska
matanza

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Tupi word 'matamatá', the indigenous name for this species of uniquely camouflaged turtle found in South American river basins.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Matamata. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/matamata
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