rhinoceros: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “rhinoceros” mean?
A large, heavy, thick-skinned mammal with one or two horns on its nose, native to Africa and Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, heavy, thick-skinned mammal with one or two horns on its nose, native to Africa and Asia.
A person or thing perceived as thick-skinned, obtuse, or powerfully stubborn.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'rhino' as informal clipped form. Pronunciations differ, especially the first vowel.
Connotations
Identical; evokes exotic wildlife, conservation, and brute force.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used primarily in specific contexts (wildlife, conservation, figurative language).
Grammar
How to Use “rhinoceros” in a Sentence
The (adjective) rhinoceros (verb-ed).A rhinoceros (of type) (verb-s).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rhinoceros” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No established verb form.
American English
- No established verb form.
adverb
British English
- No established adverb form.
American English
- No established adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No established adjective form.
American English
- No established adjective form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically to describe a competitor or market force that is slow-moving but powerful and hard to displace.
Academic
Common in biology, zoology, ecology, and conservation science texts.
Everyday
Used when discussing animals, zoos, wildlife documentaries, or figuratively to describe a stubborn person.
Technical
Specific to zoological classification (family Rhinocerotidae), veterinary science, and wildlife management.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rhinoceros”
- Misspelling: 'rhinocerous', 'rinoceros'. Plural: 'rhinoceroses' is standard; 'rhinoceri' is a hypercorrection.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard plural is 'rhinoceroses'. 'Rhinoceri' is sometimes used but is incorrect (based on a false Latinisation).
The names are misleading; colour is similar. The white rhino has a square lip for grazing grass, while the black rhino has a pointed, prehensile lip for browsing leaves and twigs.
No, there is no standard verb form 'to rhinoceros' in modern English.
Yes, 'rhino' is a perfectly acceptable and common informal clipped form of the word, used in both speech and writing outside of strict scientific contexts.
A large, heavy, thick-skinned mammal with one or two horns on its nose, native to Africa and Asia.
Rhinoceros is usually neutral in register.
Rhinoceros: in British English it is pronounced /raɪˈnɒsərəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /raɪˈnɑːsərəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “thick-skinned as a rhinoceros”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of its NOSE (rhino-) being serious (-ceros): a serious-nosed animal.
Conceptual Metaphor
STUBBORNNESS/INSENSITIVITY IS THE THICK SKIN OF A RHINOCEROS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason rhinoceroses are endangered?