Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

Pokémon

American  
[poh-kee-mahn, ‐key‐] / ˈpoʊ kiˌmɑn, ‐keɪ‐ /
Trademark.
  1. a media franchise including video games, animated television series, movies, card games, etc. that depict a fictional class of pet monsters and their trainers.

  2. a pet monster in this fictional world.


Etymology

Origin of Pokémon

1995–2000; shortening of Japanese Poketto Monsutā , itself a loan translation of English pocket monsters

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You don’t even know how to wipe your own butt,” he sings, “you maybe only know the names of like 30 weird Pokemon guys.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

The blue versions are the rarest, and some of the first printed Pokemon cards.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

While Pokemon became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1990s, it is celebrating its 30th birthday, with many of the original fans returning to the hobby.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

So early success for "Pokemon Pokopia", released on March 5 to rave reviews and reports of store sell-outs around the world, has relieved investors.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

I must not’ve been doing a very good job explaining about Pokemon and being cool and lunch and everything, because Betsy went from looking confused-mad to just mad-mad.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "Pokémon" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com