Can you say octopuses? (2024)

Can you say octopuses?

Both octopuses and octopi are acceptable plurals for octopus. Of the two, octopuses is the simpler and more commonly used. The proposed plural octopodes is based on the plural of the Ancient Greek word from which octopus ultimately derives.

Do you say octopuses or octopi?

“Octopuses” gives the word an English ending to match its adoption as an English word. Generally, when a noun enters into English, it is pluralized as an English word rather than in its original form. Octopuses may sound peculiar to some, but this is the preferred plural.

Why did it change from octopi to octopuses?

The three plurals for octopus come from the different ways the English language adopts plurals. Octopi is the oldest plural of octopus, coming from the belief that words of Latin origin should have Latin endings. Octopuses was the next plural, giving the word an English ending to match its adoption as an English word.

What is the plural possessive form of octopus?

Octopuses is the plural. If you are referring to the dens of more than one octopus, you'd write “octopuses' dens.” If it's the den of just one, then it's “the octopus's den.”

When did octopi become octopuses?

When “octopus” was first mentioned in the English language in the mid-1700s, it was pluralized as “octopuses.” That said, some grammarians wanted English to be like the less irregular Latin language, so they started putting Latin pluralizations on Latin-based English words, which led to “octopi.”

What is the plural of a fox?

The plural for fox is foxes. However, when they are gathered together in a group, there are several collective nouns that can apply. These include calling them a skulk of foxes, a troop of foxes, a leash of foxes, a lead of foxes, and even an earth of foxes.

Why is it octopuses and not octopi?

From Oxford Dictionaries.com: The standard plural in English of octopus is octopuses. However, the word octopus comes from Greek and the Greek plural form octopodes is still occasionally used. The plural form octopi, formed according to rules for some Latin plurals, is incorrect.

What do you call a group of octopuses?

What is plural for platypus?

The plural of platypus is platypuses. While the word platypi is sometimes used, it is less common. To make platypus plural, simply add an es to the end of the word.

What's the plural of hippopotamus?

The plural is preferably hippopotamuses, not hippopotami.

What is the plural of deer?

The plural of deer is deer. This word is an irregular plural noun The noun deer is both the singular and the plural They saw one deer or They saw two million deer Deer is the preferred plural form of deer, although deers (rarely used) is also an accepted plural.

What is the plural for cactus?

The plural of cactus can be either cacti (from the Latin plural) or the conventional English plural cactuses. “ Cacti” is the Latin plural of cactus and “Cactuses” is the English plural although “cacti” has the edge.

What is the plural of moose?

The plural of “moose” is the same as the singular: “moose.” It's one of a group of plural nouns in English that are identical to the corresponding singular nouns. So it's wrong to write “mooses.” For example, you might write “There are several moose in the forest.”

What is the plural of hoof?

noun. plural hooves /ˈhuːvz/ /ˈhʊvz/ also hoofs.

What is the plural of octopus Webster?

plural octopuses or octopi ˈäk-tə-ˌpī

What is the plural of goose?

Geese is the plural of goose.

What is the plural of mouse?

In most cases, the plural of mouse is "mice," but more than one computer mouse can also be called "mouses." Mouse can also be a verb in this context, like when you mouse over an icon to select a link.

What is the plural for fish?

Fish and fishes are both acceptable plural forms of fish. Fish is the more commonly used plural, and can be used regardless of how many species are present. Fishes tends to be used as a plural when there are more than one species, especially in scientific settings.

What is the plural of potato?

The plural of 'potato' is 'potatoes', i.e. 1 potato, 2 potatoes. 'Potato' is a countable noun in English, and the plural form is formed by adding 'es' to the word 'potato': potatoES.

What is the plural form of monkey?

Answer and Explanation: The plural of monkey is monkeys.

What is the plural of mango?

mango. /ˈmæŋ·ɡoʊ/ plural mangoes or mangos.

Do octopus have 2 genders?

Octopus vulgaris has individuals of both sexes. During mating, the male approaches the female, who fends him off for a while, but then accepts him. He sits next to her or mounts her, inserting the hectocotylus in her mantle cavity to pass the spermatophores.

Are octopus genderless?

Most octopus species are sexually dimorphic, meaning they have distinct male and female individuals. Male and female octopuses have different reproductive roles and strategies.

What is the plural of mongoose?

Plural of mongoose is mongooses or mongeese. Mongeese is not a common plural but is cited as an alternative plural in many leading dictionaries.

What is a group of humans called?

One of the smallest groups is a tribe, where a few families or individuals live and work as a single unit. The next size up would be a community, comprised of a few hundred or more people, who contribute to the development or a larger area. The next largest category would be a town, then a city.