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Definition of matamata
matamata
/ˌmɑːtəˈmɑːtə/
ma · ta · ma · ta
Plural:matamatas
matamata Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
matamata Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• 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
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 Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/matamata