Homo floresiensis
Americannoun
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a species of small, primitive humans with a tiny brain and large teeth, living about 50,000–100,000 years ago: several fossil specimens, along with stone tools, have been discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores since first discovery in 2003.
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a fossil belonging to this species.
Etymology
Origin of Homo floresiensis
First recorded in 2000–05; from New Latin: literally “man from Flores”; see origin at Homo ( def. ), -iensis ( def. )
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.
"The ecosystem around Liang Bua became dramatically drier around the time Homo floresiensis vanished," said UOW Honorary Professor Dr. Mike Gagan, the lead author of the study.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 19, 2026
The short-statured Homo floresiensis, sometimes known as the “Hobbit,” was living in Indonesia, while the long-legged Homo erectus was loping around Asia.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2023
In addition, another small-brained species, Homo floresiensis, is known to have used tools and fire.
From National Geographic ● Jun. 5, 2023
From the well-known Neanderthals and more enigmatic Denisovans in Eurasia, to the diminutive "hobbit" Homo floresiensis on the island of Flores in Indonesia, to Homo naledi that lived in South Africa, multiple hominins abounded.
From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2022
This unique species, known by scientists as Homo floresiensis, reached a maximum height of only 3.5 feet and weighed no more than fifty-five pounds.
From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
