noun
orca
AW-kuh
noun
1
The killer whale, a large black-and-white marine mammal related to dolphins.
"A pod of orcas circled the boat, hunting for seals."
"Orcas are highly intelligent and hunt in coordinated groups."
How to Use Orca
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe proper name for the killer whale.
Common mistake
Despite the nickname "killer whale," orcas are actually the largest member of the dolphin family, not true whales.
Common pairings
a pod of orcas
orca whale
Word Forms
orcas plural, orca plural
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A pod of _____ circled the boat, hunting for seals.
Etymology
From Latin orca, meaning both "cask" and "a kind of whale" — the exact link between those two senses is unclear.