possum

Everyday

1. A possum is an Australian and New Zealand marsupial (an animal with a pouch) that lives in trees and comes out at night. tree →
2. (US) Possum is the short name for opossum, an American animal with a pouch. tree →
3. (informal) «Play possum» means to pretend to be asleep or dead. tree →

In the lessons

In Australia possums are common in gardens and roofs; in New Zealand they are a pest that harms forests and birds. In the US «opossum» or «possum» is a different animal. In science lessons it is about marsupials and nocturnal animals. The phrase «playing possum» comes from the opossum pretending to be dead.

Examples

• A possum climbed onto our roof at night. tree →
• Possums carry babies in a pouch. tree →
• In New Zealand, possums eat birds' eggs and trees. tree →
• The opossum, or possum, lives in America. tree →
• My brother played possum so he wouldn't have to get up. tree →
• We heard possums in the gum tree. tree →
• (Australia) «G'day, possum» is a friendly name for someone you like. tree →
• The possum's eyes shone in the torch light. tree →

Note

Plural: possums. Australian/NZ possums and American opossums are not the same animal, though both have pouches. In Australia «possum» is also a pet name (a friendly way to talk to a child).