This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
Portuguese man-of-war
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
any of several large, oceanic hydrozoans of the genus Physalia, having a large, bladderlike structure with a saillike crest by which they are buoyed up and from which dangle tentacles with stinging cells.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of Portuguese man-of-war
First recorded in 1700–10
Words nearby Portuguese man-of-war
Portuguese, Portuguese East Africa, Portuguese Guinea, Portuguese Guinean, Portuguese India, Portuguese man-of-war, Portuguese Timor, Portuguese water dog, Portuguese West Africa, portulaca, portulacaceous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for Portuguese man-of-war
Portuguese man-of-war
noun
any of several large complex colonial hydrozoans of the genus Physalia, esp P. physalis, having an aerial float and long stinging tentacles: order SiphonophoraSometimes shortened to: man-of-war
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012