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What’s the Plural of Platypus? (Platypi, Platypuses?)

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Baby platypus.
Baby platypus.

What’s the plural of “platypus”?

The plural of platypus is commonly thought to be platypi, which would be the correct plural if platypus were a Latin noun.

👍🏼Usage Note

Scientists observed several platypuses in the wild.

The platypus is known for its unique bill.

We saw many platypi swimming in the river.

The sanctuary is home to some rare platypi.

Contrary to mainstream belief, the word platypus is not etymologically Latin. The platypus species was discovered in southern Australia, but the word platypus favours the Mediterranean region and is originally a Greek word. Its Greek form is platypous, which literally translates to, “flat-footed”. If the Greek pluralization were around in modern English, it would be platypodes.

As it stands today, the plural most accepted is platypuses. This is the pluralization that most dictionaries recognize, and it’s what the vast majority of people use. So, as the old saying goes, ‘what’s good for the goose is good for the gander‘, and that’s good enough for us.

What’s the singular of platypus?

Platypus is a singular noun. Platypuses is plural for platypus.

What are platypusses?

National Geographic describes the species and animal platypus as:

A hodgepodge of more familiar species: the duck (bill and webbed feet), beaver (tail), and otter (body and fur).

Latin words in English

singular plural
cactus cacti (or cactuses)
octopus octopi (or octopuses)
radius radi (or radiuses)
fungus fungi (or funguses)
alumnus alumni (or almunuses)
syllabus syllabi (or syllabuses)
Latin nouns ending in –us/-i. Chart by Grammarflex.

💡Study Tip

The plural of “platypus” is “platypuses,” visualize a group of platypuses, not platypi.

Examples of “platypus” used in sentences

Sometimes known as a duck-billed platypus, this curious mammal combines the characteristics of many different species in one.

The duck-billed platypus is a truly bizarre creature.

Don’t let him go running amuck, Bill Just, mind me platypus duck.

The platypus swims through the use of webbed feet.

Examples of “platypuses” in sentences

Platypuses use their nails and feet to construct dirt burrows at the water’s edge.

Who but the creator of the series could come up with a noir crime series staring platypuses.

On land, platypuses move a bit more awkwardly.

Platypuses do not have teeth, so the bits of gravel help them to “chew” their meal.

Platypuses hunt underwater, where they swim gracefully by paddling with their front webbed feet and steering with their hind feet and beaver-like tail.

Origin of the word platypus

‍‍”Australian duck-mole,” 1799, from Modern Latin, from Greek platypous, literally “flat-footed,” from platys “broad, flat” (from PIE root ped-“>ped- “foot.”

Sources

  1. Definition of platypus.
  2. Sentences using platypus.
  3. Origin of platypus.

 

Work Sheet

Question 1 of 10

According to the blog post, what is the most commonly accepted plural of “platypus”?



Why does the post state that “platypi” is not the correct plural of “platypus”?



The word “platypus” originates from which language?



What is the singular form of “platypuses”?



Which of the following plurals, while potentially related to the word’s origin, is NOT the modern accepted plural for “platypus” according to the post?



Scientists observed several in the wild.



The is known for its unique bill.



On land, move a bit more awkwardly.



The sentence “We saw many swimming in the river” uses the incorrect Latin plural form.



The sanctuary is home to some rare .





Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most accepted plural of platypus?
+

According to the post, the most accepted plural of “platypus” today is “platypuses.” This form is recognized by most dictionaries and used by the vast majority of people.

Why is platypi not the correct plural?
+

The post states that “platypi” would only be the correct plural if “platypus” were a Latin noun. However, the word is not Latin; it is originally a Greek word.

What is the origin of the word platypus?
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The post explains that “platypus” is originally a Greek word derived from “platypous,” meaning “flat-footed.” It is not etymologically Latin, contrary to common belief.

What is the singular of platypus?
+

The post clarifies that “platypus” itself is the singular noun form. “Platypuses” is the plural form used for more than one platypus.

How should I use the plural of platypus?
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The post advises using “platypuses” as the accepted plural form. Avoid “platypi” in sentences, such as “We saw many platypi” or “The sanctuary is home to platypi.”

Yash, D. "What’s the Plural of Platypus? (Platypi, Platypuses?)." Grammarflex, Jun 20, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-plural-of-platypus/.

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