noun
hippopotamus
hip-uh-PAH-tuh-mus/ˌhɪpəˈpɑːtəməs/
A large African mammal with a huge mouth that spends much of its time in water.
The hippopotamus stands at the river's edge with its massive body fully visible.
Etymology
The name means 'river horse,' from an earlier Greek expression meaning 'the horse of the river.' It names the animal through its association with rivers rather than its thick skin.
In context
however the hippopotamus can sometimes be a violent animal that'll attack zebras other hippos and even people if provoked
More examples
- The hippopotamus opens its huge mouth in a yawn.
- A hippopotamus leaves the water after sunset to graze.
- Several hippopotamuses gather near the muddy riverbank.
Forms
hippopotamus · hippopotamuses · hippopotami
Similar words
- hippo
- Hippo is the common informal name for the same animal.