marsupial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Scientific, Technical, General (when referring to animals like kangaroos).
Quick answer
What does “marsupial” mean?
A mammal of an order (Marsupialia) whose young are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's abdomen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mammal of an order (Marsupialia) whose young are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's abdomen.
By extension, any creature or object that carries its young or another item in a pouch-like structure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both dialects. Evokes images of Australian fauna.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but common in biological/geographical/zoological contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “marsupial” in a Sentence
Marsupials are native to...The kangaroo is a marsupial.a type of marsupialthe marsupial's pouchVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marsupial” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This term is not used as a verb.
American English
- This term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The marsupial mole is a fascinating creature.
- We studied marsupial reproductive strategies.
American English
- The Tasmanian devil is a notable marsupial carnivore.
- Marsupial anatomy differs significantly from placentals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, evolutionary studies, and geography. E.g., 'The convergent evolution of marsupial and placental predators.'
Everyday
Used when talking about animals like kangaroos, koalas, or possums. E.g., 'We saw a marsupial with a joey in its pouch at the zoo.'
Technical
Precise zoological classification. E.g., 'Characteristic of the infraclass Marsupialia.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marsupial”
- Mispronunciation: /mar-SUP-ee-al/ (correct is /mar-SOO-pee-al/).
- Using it as a synonym for 'Australian animal' (e.g., platypus is not a marsupial).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most are native to Australia and New Guinea, some, like opossums, are found in the Americas.
The primary difference is reproductive: marsupials give birth to very underdeveloped live young that complete their development attached to a teat, often inside the mother's external pouch (marsupium).
No, the platypus is a monotreme, an egg-laying mammal. It does not have a true pouch for rearing its young like marsupials do.
Yes, though it's rare. It can humorously or descriptively refer to something that carries items in a pouch-like manner, e.g., 'His hoodie became a marsupial pouch for his phone and keys.'
A mammal of an order (Marsupialia) whose young are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's abdomen.
Marsupial is usually academic, scientific, technical, general (when referring to animals like kangaroos). in register.
Marsupial: in British English it is pronounced /mɑːˈsuː.pi.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑːrˈsuː.pi.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MARS-bar with a small 'SUPI' (like a puppy) in its wrapper-pouch. 'MARS' + 'SUPI' in a pouch = MARSUPIAL.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIVING POUCH / A MOBILE NURSERY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a marsupial?