variants
or less commonly Dr. Seussian
chiefly US
: of, relating to, or suggestive of the works of Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)
especially
: having a playfully inventive or outlandish quality typical or reminiscent of the words and images found in children's stories like The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Seussian rhymes
an elaborate, Seussian contraption
… a fantastical landscape with Seussian trees and surprising, pleasing tiny details … —
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews Their ships … were dragged out of the water and into the muddy streets, where they found brash new lives as hotels and jailhouses—weird Dr. Seussian hybrids of vessel and building … —Armistead Maupin
Armistead Maupin Examples of Seussian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next: an exhibit where visitors can ride a Seussian tricycle with square wheels around an undulating yellow track.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
While David recommends the Seussian motifs, dramatic landscapes, unique vegetation, and rare wildlife, many found nowhere else on Earth, Tim recommends getting to know the vibrant culture of the Pokot, Samburu, Ol Malo, and Turkana people.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
If only the state of the modern workplace were a Seussian tale.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
As The Grinch, the big sell is the way Carrey naturally contorts his face to conjure the Seussian character’s trademark grimace.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
The restaurant has moved a few blocks north, for one, and Solondz’s hair is now gray and Seussian in light wisps, his large features ornamented by bright-blue circular glasses.
—Elena Saavedra Buckley, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024
The water was clear, boasting burgeoning reefs and deep dropoffs, sea sponges standing tall like Dr. Seussian skyscrapers as fish, seahorses, and otters coasted on the waves.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024
Wind and rain have eroded the original deposit into Seussian spires and box canyons, leaving what looks like a drip castle rising from the bush.
—Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
The vast seas of Styrofoam suggest the makings of a theme park attraction rather than a whimsically Seussian environment, while its inhabitants are effectively lost under their latex appliances.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
While David recommends the Seussian motifs, dramatic landscapes, unique vegetation, and rare wildlife, many found nowhere else on Earth, Tim recommends getting to know the vibrant culture of the Pokot, Samburu, Ol Malo, and Turkana people.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
If only the state of the modern workplace were a Seussian tale.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
As The Grinch, the big sell is the way Carrey naturally contorts his face to conjure the Seussian character’s trademark grimace.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
The restaurant has moved a few blocks north, for one, and Solondz’s hair is now gray and Seussian in light wisps, his large features ornamented by bright-blue circular glasses.
—Elena Saavedra Buckley, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024
The water was clear, boasting burgeoning reefs and deep dropoffs, sea sponges standing tall like Dr. Seussian skyscrapers as fish, seahorses, and otters coasted on the waves.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024
Wind and rain have eroded the original deposit into Seussian spires and box canyons, leaving what looks like a drip castle rising from the bush.
—Discover Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024
The vast seas of Styrofoam suggest the makings of a theme park attraction rather than a whimsically Seussian environment, while its inhabitants are effectively lost under their latex appliances.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Nov. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Seussian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Seussian. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share