# possum

/ˈpɑsəm/ (US) · /pˈɒsəm/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/possum
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a small, furry animal with a long tail that lives in trees. It looks a bit like a rat with a long face and lives in parts of North America.

For teachers: a small, arboreal mammal of the family Didelphidae, native to the Americas. Characterised by a long, prehensile tail and a distinctive facial appearance.

## Examples

- The possum climbed up the tree to escape the dog.
- While hiking through the forest, we saw a possum sitting on a branch watching us closely.
- The possum is often mistaken for a rat, but its unique ability to play dead when threatened makes it a fascinating subject for wildlife researchers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.