What does hippo mean?
The word “hippo” is the familiar shortened English name for the hippopotamus, a massive, mostly aquatic mammal native to Africa. It usually refers to the animal itself, although in informal speech it can also describe a large or heavy person. As a verb, “hippo” means to be an enthusiastic fan or devotee of something, such as a musical artist, genre, or scene. The familiar noun is standard in both British and American English, while the figurative and verb uses are more conversational. Although “hippo” is shorter than the formal “hippopotamus,” it is the name most commonly heard in discussion of the animals, especially their behavior in rivers and lakes. The word is also linguistically interesting: it ultimately derives from Greek terms for “horse” and “river,” although a hippopotamus is not a horse.
A large, heavy, semiaquatic African mammal, formally called a hippopotamus. Informally, it can also mean a very large or heavy person.
"The hippo surfaced with a spray of water dripping from its muzzle."
The animal sense is standard; the sense for a large or heavy person is informal and often mildly disparaging.
To be an enthusiastic or devoted fan of someone or something.
"She hippos every release by that band."
This is an informal and relatively uncommon verb, especially outside enthusiast communities.
The standard plural of the animal noun and also of the informal noun meaning a very large person.
"A group of hippos grazed beside the water."
A hippo's name literally means “river horse,” a fitting description of a massive animal adapted to life in and around African rivers and lakes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hippo
English borrowed “hippopotamus” from Latin, which adapted the ancient Greek hippopotamos, meaning “river horse” and formed from hippos, “horse,” and potamos, “river.” The shortened form “hippo” developed during the 19th century, while the longer name remained the more formal alternative. Related English words such as “hippodrome,” “hippomobile,” and “hipparchy” also reflect the Greek root hippos, “horse.”
How hippo is actually used
As an animal name, “hippo” is standard but less formal than “hippopotamus.” The figurative noun is informal and often mildly disparaging, while the verb is highly informal and mainly used in conversational or enthusiast contexts.