Tasmanian devil

American

noun

a small, predacious marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisii, of Tasmania, having a black coat with white patches: its dwindling population is now confined to isolated areas.

Tasmanian devil British

noun

Also called: ursine dasyure. a small ferocious carnivorous marsupial, Sarcophilus harrisi, of Tasmania, having black fur with pale markings, strong jaws, and short legs: family Dasyuridae

"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

Etymology

Origin of Tasmanian devil

First recorded in 1885–90

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.

Over the past 30 years, Australia's Tasmanian devil population has been afflicted with an infectious cancer that has pushed the species to near extinction.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

In Australia, marsupials abound: A snarling Tasmanian devil stands before craggy Cradle Mountain, while a stubby brown wombat surveils the Great Australian Bight.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2023

I always say Ben was like a Tasmanian devil as a little boy, growing up in Walton-on-the-Naze.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2022

“He brings great energy. He runs hard. We call him a little Tasmanian devil out there, because as soon as he gets the ball in his hands he wants to run into people.”

From Seattle Times • May 5, 2021

There followed a description of this year’s turnip crop that would have put a Tasmanian devil to sleep.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023