Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

platypus

/ˈplætɪˌpʊs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.69 in modern English

Syllables
pla-ty-pus
IPA
/ˈplætɪˌpʊs/
15
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A semiaquatic monotreme from eastern Australia with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).

Example Sentences

Etymology

From New Latin Platypus (originally a genus name already in use for a type of beetle), from Ancient Greek πλατύπους (platúpous, “flat-footed”), from πλατύς (platús, “flat”) + πούς (poús, “foot”). Piecewise doublet of flatfoot.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *pleth₂-, Platypus, πλατύπους

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈplætɪˌpʊs/
  • British English: /ˈplætɪpəs/

Inflected Forms

platypuses (plural) platypi (common, hypercorrect) platypodes (plural, rare)

Derived Forms

platypusary

Frequently Paired Words

echidna

Synonyms

duck-billed platypus duckbill duckmole mallangong tambreet water mole duckbilled platypus ornithorhynchus anatinus

Questions

How do you pronounce platypus?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈplætɪˌpʊs/.
What does platypus mean?
A semiaquatic monotreme from eastern Australia with a bill resembling that of a duck, that has a mole-like body, a tail resembling that of a beaver, a waterproof pelt, and flat webbed feet (Ornithorhynchus anatinus).
Where does platypus come from?
It is traced to Ancient Greek.

How to pronounce platypus

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “platypus”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈplætɪˌpʊs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “platypus”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “platypus” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.