What does "amphipod" mean?
Any species of the taxonomic order Amphipoda of small, shrimp-like crustaceans.
Amphipod
/ˈam.fɪ.pɑd/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any species of the taxonomic order Amphipoda of small, shrimp-like crustaceans.
- Grammar: amphipod is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: amphipoda, sandhopper.
- Usage evidence: 1905, Mabel Elizabeth Smallwood, The Salt-marsh Amphipod: Orchestia Palustris, Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, page 18, Most of these are quite large, made by the small marsh mammals, but some are small and seem to be much used by the amphipods.
How to use "amphipod"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "amphipod" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "amphipod" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "amphipod" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "amphipod" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "amphipod" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "amphipoda" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any species of the taxonomic order Amphipoda of small, shrimp-like crustaceans.
"1905, Mabel Elizabeth Smallwood, The Salt-marsh Amphipod: Orchestia Palustris, Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, page 18, Most of these are quite large, made by the small marsh mammals, but some are small and seem to be much used by the amphipods."
- 2 a kind of malacostracan crustacean wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"1905, Mabel Elizabeth Smallwood, The Salt-marsh Amphipod: Orchestia Palustris, Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, page 18, Most of these are quite large, made by the small marsh mammals, but some are small and seem to be much used by the amphipods."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "amphipod"?
Common synonyms include: amphipoda, sandhopper.
How do you use "amphipod" in a sentence?
1905, Mabel Elizabeth Smallwood, The Salt-marsh Amphipod: Orchestia Palustris, Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, page 18, Most of these are quite large, made by the small marsh mammals, but some are small and seem to be much used by the amphipods.
How do you pronounce "amphipod"?
Pronounced /ˈam.fɪ.pɑd/.
Etymology
From translingual Amphipoda.