marsupial
adjective C2
Plain meaning
an animal such as a kangaroo whose young develop in a pouch
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe an animal such as a kangaroo whose young develop in a pouch, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded marsupial, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a marsupial assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a marsupial responsemarsupial behavioura marsupial situation
Watch out
Do not use “very marsupial” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
marsupialness (noun, where natural)marsupially (adverb, where natural)