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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.

hippopotamus

/ˌhɪpəˈpɑːtəməs/ /ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs/

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.

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