Are all theropods carnivores?

Yes, theropods are primarily defined as carnivorous, though some later lineages may have been omnivorous or herbivorous.

Is a Tyrannosaurus rex a theropod?

Yes, T. rex is one of the most famous members of the theropod clade.

What is the connection between theropods and birds?

Birds are classified as living theropod dinosaurs, descended from small, feathered members of this group.

How do you pronounce 'theropod'?

In British English: /ˈθɪərəpɒd/. In American English: /ˈθɪrəpɑːd/. The first syllable rhymes with 'fear'.

Is “theropod” formal?

Theropod is usually formal, technical in register.

theropod: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˈθɪərəpɒd/US/ˈθɪrəpɑːd/

Formal, Technical

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “theropod” mean?

A carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs.

Any member of a diverse group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs, including all carnivorous dinosaurs and their bird descendants.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant spelling or usage differences. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).

Connotations

Identical scientific connotations.

Frequency

Equally rare in general discourse, but standard in paleontological contexts in both regions.

Grammar

How to Use “theropod” in a Sentence

[The] theropod [verb]...

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

carnivorous theropodlarge theropodfeathered theropod

medium

theropod dinosaurtheropod fossilstheropod lineage

weak

famous theropodancient theropoddiscovered theropod

Examples

Examples of “theropod” in a Sentence

verb

British English

American English

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

The theropod fossils were exceptionally well-preserved.

American English

The theropod skeleton exhibited unique cranial features.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Standard term in paleontology, biology, and earth sciences.

Everyday

Rarely used outside of discussions about dinosaurs.

Technical

Precise taxonomic term for a major dinosaur clade.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “theropod”

Strong

Tyrannosaur VelociraptorAllosaurus

Neutral

carnivorous dinosaurbipedal dinosaur

Weak

predatory dinosaurmeat-eating dinosaur

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “theropod”

sauropodherbivorous dinosaurornithischian

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “theropod”

Misspelling as 'therapod' or 'therapoda'. Incorrectly using it for any dinosaur.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, theropods are primarily defined as carnivorous, though some later lineages may have been omnivorous or herbivorous.
: Yes, T. rex is one of the most famous members of the theropod clade.
: Birds are classified as living theropod dinosaurs, descended from small, feathered members of this group.
: In British English: /ˈθɪərəpɒd/. In American English: /ˈθɪrəpɑːd/. The first syllable rhymes with 'fear'.
: A carnivorous dinosaur that walked on two legs.
: Theropod is usually formal, technical in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“N/A”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

THE RAPID predator: Think of THE RAPID, two-legged, meat-eating dinosaur.

Conceptual Metaphor

N/A (Technical term).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Birds are now considered to be modern descendants of the dinosaurs.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of theropods?