dinosaur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal in extended meaning
Quick answer
What does “dinosaur” mean?
A large, extinct reptile that lived millions of years ago.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, extinct reptile that lived millions of years ago.
Something that is outdated, obsolete, or resistant to change, often used to describe people, organizations, or technologies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The extended metaphorical use is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in the extended, metaphorical sense, particularly in business/political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “dinosaur” in a Sentence
[adj] dinosaurdinosaur of [noun phrase]dinosaur from [period/place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dinosaur” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The policy was dinosauring in the face of modern needs.
American English
- That industry is dinosauring fast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe outdated companies, practices, or executives. 'The company is a dinosaur in the age of digital marketing.'
Academic
Used in paleontology, biology, and earth sciences to refer to the specific clade of reptiles.
Everyday
Refers to the animals, especially with children, or to humorously describe old-fashioned items or people. 'My dad still uses a flip phone—he's such a dinosaur!'
Technical
Refers specifically to members of the clade Dinosauria, distinguishing them from other prehistoric reptiles like pterosaurs or plesiosaurs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dinosaur”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dinosaur”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dinosaur”
- Misspelling as 'dinasaur' or 'dinosour'.
- Using it to refer to any extinct animal (e.g., calling a woolly mammoth a dinosaur).
- Incorrect plural: 'dinosaurs' is correct; 'dinosaures' is wrong.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, dinosaurs ranged in size from the massive Argentinosaurus to the chicken-sized Compsognathus.
Yes, according to modern cladistics, birds are considered the only living lineage of theropod dinosaurs.
Applying it to something that is merely old but still functional and efficient. The term implies obsolescence and inability to adapt.
It is neutral when referring to the prehistoric animals. Its metaphorical use is common in journalism and business but is considered informal.
A large, extinct reptile that lived millions of years ago.
Dinosaur: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪnəsɔː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪnəsɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a dinosaur in the boardroom”
- “technological dinosaur”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DINO-SAUR: Think of 'Dino' as in 'dinosaur' and 'saur' sounding like 'saw' – imagine a giant dinosaur sawing down ancient trees.
Conceptual Metaphor
OLD/OUTDATED IS A DINOSAUR; BIG/CLUMSY IS A DINOSAUR.
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, calling someone a 'dinosaur' usually means they are: