Definition

A small, fast dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, known for its sharp claws and agility.

Example

The velociraptor is often depicted as a clever and swift hunter in movies.

Conversation

Did you know that the velociraptor was actually quite small?

Really? I always imagined them being much bigger like in the movies.

Yeah, they were more like the size of a turkey, not a giant dinosaur.

That's interesting! I guess movies love to exaggerate for drama.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Velociraptor is formed from "velox" (meaning swift or fast) and "raptor" (from Latin "raptare", meaning to seize or take). The word describes a swift predator that seizes its prey.

Memory Tip

Think of 'swift' ('velox') and 'seizing' ('raptor') to remember that a velociraptor is a fast dinosaur that catches its prey.

Visually Confused Words