octopus

[ok-tuh-puhs]

noun

plural

octopuses, octopi 

1. any octopod of the genus Octopus, having a soft, oval body and eight sucker-bearing arms, living mostly at the bottom of the sea.

2. something likened to an octopus, as an organization with many forms of far-reaching influence or control.

octopus

/ ˈɒktəpəs /

noun

1. any cephalopod mollusc of the genera Octopus, Eledone, etc, having a soft oval body with eight long suckered tentacles and occurring at the sea bottom: order Octopoda (octopods)

2. a powerful influential organization with far-reaching effects, esp harmful ones

3. another name for spider

Word History and Origins

Origin of octopus¹

1750–60; < New Latin < Greek oktṓpous (plural oktṓpodes ) eight-footed; octo-, -pod

Word History and Origins

Origin of octopus¹

C18: via New Latin from Greek oktōpous having eight feet

Example Sentences

Hanging up octopuses to dry on a clothesline, he tells the Tanners’ nanny, “Like to f— get you and hang out on a line.”

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It was first grouped with squids and octopuses, then with sea slugs, jellyfish ancestors, and even worms.

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The twilight zone teems with life, including krill, squid, fish, octopus, and delicate jelly-like species.

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The octopus had red skin, a bulging head, and eight wriggling arms.

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"This natural pigment is what gives an octopus or a squid its ability to camouflage -- a fantastic superpower -- and our achievement to advance production of this material is just the tip of the iceberg."

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Related Words

• business 
• company 
• enterprise