pachyderm

noun

pachy·​derm ˈpa-ki-ˌdərm 

: any of various nonruminant mammals (such as an elephant, a rhinoceros, or a hippopotamus) of a former group (Pachydermata) that have hooves or nails resembling hooves and usually thick skin

especially : elephant

Did you know?

Pachydermos in Greek means literally "having thick skin" (figuratively, it means "dull" or "stupid"). It's from pachys, meaning "thick," and derma, meaning "skin." In the late 1700s, the French naturalist Georges Cuvier adapted the Greek term as pachyderme for any one of a whole assemblage of hoofed animals having thickish skin: elephants, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, tapirs, horses, pigs, and more. English speakers learned the word from French in the early 1800s. The adjective pachydermatous means "of or relating to the pachyderms" or "thickened" (referring to skin). Not too surprisingly, it also means "callous" or "insensitive" (somewhat unfairly especially to elephants, which are actually known to be rather sensitive).

Examples of pachyderm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Animal rights activists argued that zoo enclosures were no place for big-brained, social pachyderms. —Jennifer Peltz, Fortune, 28 May 2026

Animal rights activists argued that zoo enclosures were no place for big-brained, social pachyderms. —CBS News, 27 May 2026

The zoo’s parent institution, the Wildlife Conservation Society, decided 20 years ago to stop acquiring pachyderms. —ABC News, 27 May 2026

An appeal by then-Tribune reporter Michael Sneed in 1969 started a movement — and a collection — to free the 52-year-old pachyderm. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French pachyderme, from Greek pachydermos thick-skinned, from pachys thick + derma skin; akin to Sanskrit bahu dense, much — more at derm-

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pachyderm

• disaffirm
• ectoderm
• endoderm
• endosperm
• interfirm
• isotherm
• mesoderm
• periderm
• reaffirm
• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

pachyderm

noun

pachy·​derm ˈpak-i-ˌdərm 

: any of various usually thick-skinned mammals (as an elephant or a rhinoceros) that have hooves or nails resembling hooves

especially : elephant