octopus

SayOK-tuh-puus/ˈɑktəpʊs/UK/ˈɒktəpʊs/

7 meanings of octopus

1
sea animalnouncountable
A soft sea animal with eight long arms covered in suckers.
Like a soft balloon with eight bendy arms, able to slip through tiny spaces.
An octopus can squeeze its whole body through a gap the size of a coin.
The octopus changed color to match the rocks on the seabed.
Note
2
seafoodnoununcountable
The cooked or raw meat of octopus, eaten as seafood.
Like chicken or beef, but it comes from a sea animal.
We ordered grilled octopus at the seaside restaurant.
Octopus tastes chewy unless you cook it slowly.
UsageSay grilled octopus, with no an.
3
controlling groupnouncountable
A large group or company with many strong parts that are all run from one main place.
Like a spider sitting in the middle of its web, pulling every thread.
People feared the crime syndicate had become an octopus with its grip on every business in town.
The company grew into an octopus, with offices in every city all taking orders from headquarters.
UsageUsually used to criticize a group for having too much power or influence.

Less common meanings

4
overload outletverbtransitive
To plug many devices into one electric outlet at the same time.
By now, the reservation had electricity so THAT had to be octopussed out to the trailers too.
1985, Ted C. Williams, The ReservationHere, octopussed means hooked up to many trailers from one power source.
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5
spread outverbintransitive
To spread out in many directions, or to grow much bigger than first planned.
The bug-eyed press octopussed to their respective word processors.
1995, Donald A. Weatherby, The Star-Spangled SpecterHere, octopussed means spread out in all directions to their word processors.
Dirt roads octopussed into the interior, where there were more dried mud and shrivelled crops.
1997, The Unesco Courier - Volume 50, Issues 1-6Here, octopussed means spread out in many directions, like an octopus's arms.
Similarsprawl, spread, branch, mushroom
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6
verbintransitive
To reach or grab in many directions at the same time, like an octopus.
Night fell especially dark and cold for August, inky blackness tendrilling in, octopussing even the street lamps, now dim with vague form.
1995, Donald A. Weatherby, The Star-Spangled SpecterHere, octopussing means reaching out and wrapping around, like an octopus's arms.
“Strangled in the middle of the night by one of Molly's eight legs.” “Mo-om!” Molly kicked Robin in the shins. “Owww!” Robin lunged against the door. “I've been octopused!”
2009, Becky Citra, WhiteoutHere, octopused means attacked by limbs from every side, like an octopus.
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7
verbintransitive
To hunt for and catch octopuses, usually in shallow sea water.
CRABBING AND OCTOPUSSING: Use the same method whether you skindive for crabs and octopi or gather them intertidally.
1977, Peter Howorth, Foraging Along the California CoastHere, octopussing means hunting and catching octopuses.
The sport could be called octopusing or octopus hunting— and any number may play. Supposing you catch an octopus, what do you have?
1956, Travel - Volume 105Here, octopusing means hunting and catching octopuses as a sport.
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Practice

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Origin

It comes from Greek words meaning "eight" and "foot."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

Octopus ultimately comes from Ancient Greek words meaning "eight" and "foot." en.wiktionary.org