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Definition of velociraptor

velociraptor

/vəˌlɑː.səˈræp.tɚ/
ve · loc · i · rap · tor
Plural:velociraptors
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velociraptor Lexical Profile

velociraptor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A genus of small, bipedal, feathered theropod dinosaurs that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous epoch, characterized by a long tail, an enlarged sickle-shaped claw on each hindfoot, and a relatively large brain.

Example

"Recent fossil discoveries have revealed that the velociraptor was covered in feathers, fundamentally changing how we visualize the ancient predator."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for velociraptor

Word Nuance & Usage

Popular culture historically depicted the velociraptor as a massive, scaly predator, but paleontological consensus confirms it was roughly the size of a turkey and heavily feathered.

• Rhymes for velociraptor

• Nearby Words

vellore
vellozia
velloziaceous
velociraptor
veltheimia
velvet
velvet bean

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1924 by American paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn, derived from the Latin words 'velox' (swift) and 'raptor' (robber or plunderer).

Cite this Entry

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