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possum

SayPOS-uhmUS/ˈpɑsəm//ˈpɒsəm/

Pluralpossums

Verbpossums, possuming, possumed

4 meanings of possum

Practice

  1. 1
    American animalnounUScountable
    An opossum, one of the pouched animals that live in North and South America.

    We saw a possum in Texas crossing the road with babies on its back.

    The dog barked at a possum in our Ohio backyard.

    Similaropossum

    Note
  2. 2
    Australian animalnouncountable
    Any of several kinds of pouched animals from Australia and nearby islands.

    On our trip to Australia, we saw a possum climbing a tree at night.

    The possums in a Sydney park came close to people, looking for food.

  3. 3
    play deadverbintransitive
    To pretend to be asleep, sick, or dead.

    UsagePeople usually say play possum.

    Note
  4. 4
    nouncolloquialAustraliacountableaustralian
    A loving word used when talking to someone, like a child, a partner, or a crowd watching a show.

    Time for bed, possum, it's getting late.

    Thanks for coming tonight, possums, you've been a lovely crowd!

    Similardarling, sweetheart, love

    Note

Practice

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Origin

A short form of opossum, a word English settlers in Virginia took from the Native American Powhatan language.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts