Hippopotamus - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A hippopotamus is a large, semi-aquatic mammal native to Africa. It has a barrel-shaped body, short legs, and a wide mouth, and spends much of its time in rivers or lakes.
Definition:
A large African mammal with thick skin, short legs, and a massive head, living in rivers and lakes.
Synonyms:
river horse, water horse
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms; context-dependent)
Common Collocations:
hippopotamus habitat, hippopotamus attack, baby hippopotamus
Derivatives:
hippopotamuses, hippopotami (plural forms)
Usage Tips:
Use "hippopotamus" for the animal; avoid shortening to "hippo" in formal writing.
Common Phrases:
happy as a hippopotamus in mud, like a hippo in a bathtub
Etymology:
From Greek "hippopotamos," meaning "river horse" (hippos = horse, potamos = river).
Examples:
- 1. The hippopotamus wallowed in the muddy riverbank.
- 2. A baby hippopotamus stayed close to its mother for protection.
- 3. Tourists watched the hippopotamus yawn widely at the zoo.
- 4. The hippopotamus is one of Africa’s most dangerous animals.