Lastly, octopodes stems from the belief that because "octopus" is originally Greek, it should have a Greek ending. However, the word octopus comes from Greek, and the Greek plural form is octopodes ( |äk'täp??dez|). "Octopi" is a commonly used plural, and it seems to make sense. And then you will then have octopodidae as the family which includes the octopuses. It’s simple! However, “octopus” actually comes from Greek, so it later got the super-rare pluralization, “octopodes” (pronounced ock-TOP-uh-deez). How do you make octopus plural? The standard pluralised form of "octopus" in English is "octopuses"; the Ancient Greek plural ὀκτώποδες, "octopodes" (/ ɒ k ˈ t ɒ p ə d iː z /), has also been used historically. Nothing is ever simple with octopodes. In French I see you can also form plurals from the singular -pode to -podidés as in octopodidés(fr) i.e. They’d done well.

And from the Online Etymology Dictionary: octopus (n.) The Greek plural for octopus is octopodes, but this plural is not used in English. Octopus does indeed have Greek roots – but, so it appears, the word doesn’t actually have an ancient provenance. Interesting. (uncountable) The flesh of these marine molluscs eaten as food. Like many nouns, it has a few acceptable plural forms. However, “octopus” actually comes from Greek, so it later got the super-rare pluralization, “octopodes” (pronounced ock-TOP-uh-deez). Octopi is the oldest plural of "octopus," coming from the belief that Latin origins should have Latin endings. Octopi, the supposed plural of octopus, is a favorite among fans of quirky words, but it has no etymological basis. The plural form octopi, formed according to rules for some Latin plurals, is incorrect. The plural is octopuses. Whether you write octopi on Reddit, say octopodes on a podcast, or text octopuses to your friends, someone is going to correct you.

However, the word octopus comes from Greek, and the Greek plural form is octopodes ( |äk'täp??dez|).

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.. Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with: . However, the word octopus comes from Greek and the Greek plural form octopodes is still occasionally used. People are up in arms about it. Octopuses is the next plural, which gives the word an English ending as its been adopted as an English word. Octopodes definition is - plural of octopus. Sometimes it feels like you’re playing a losing hand of rock paper scissors. USAGE The standard English plural of octopus is octopuses. The correct forms are octopuses, octopodes, or octopi. Just don’t get caught out by rhinocerotes.