hippopotamus

/,hipə'pɔtəməs/

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Word: Hippopotamus

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A hippopotamus is a large, heavy animal with thick skin that lives in or near rivers in tropical Africa. They are herbivorous, which means they mainly eat plants.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "hippopotamus" when talking about this specific animal. It is often shortened to "hippo" in casual conversation.

Example Sentence:

• "We saw a hippopotamus bathing in the river during our safari."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might talk about the hippopotamus in the context of wildlife conservation, its behavior, or its role in the ecosystem. For instance: - "The hippopotamus plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of riverine ecosystems."

Word Variants:

• Hippo: A common informal abbreviation for hippopotamus.
• Hippopotamuses: The plural form of hippopotamus.

Different Meanings:

• The word "hippopotamus" does not have different meanings; it specifically refers to the animal. In scientific contexts, it is often referred to by its Latin name, Hippopotamus amphibius.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "hippopotamus," but you could refer to it informally as a "hippo."

Related Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "hippopotamus." However, you might encounter phrases like "big as a hippo," which is used to describe something very large.

Additional Information:

Hippopotamuses are known for their large size and their aggressive nature. They spend a lot of time in the water to keep their bodies cool and their skin moist. Despite their bulky appearance, they can run surprisingly fast on land.

Fun Fact:

Hippopotamuses are the third-largest land mammals after elephants and white rhinos!

Academic

Noun

1. massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or around rivers of tropical Africa

Synonyms

• hippo
• river horse
• Hippopotamus amphibius