velociraptor

American  

[vuh-los-uh-rap-ter, ‐tawr] / vəˈlɒs əˌræp tər, ‐tɔr /

noun

1. a small carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor , from the late Cretaceous period, capable of leaping, and growing to a length of about 6 feet (2 meters), having feathers, a flat snout, short forelimbs with large handlike talons, and a large sickle-shaped claw on each foot.

---

velociraptor Scientific  

/ və-lŏs′ə-răp′tər /

1. A small, fast, carnivorous dinosaur of the genus Velociraptor of the Cretaceous Period that was about 2 m (6.5 ft) in length. It had long curved claws for grasping and tearing at prey, walked on two legs that were adapted for leaping, and had a long stiff tail used as a counterweight. Velociraptors were a kind of raptor.

---

Etymology

Origin of velociraptor

1920–25; < New Latin, equivalent to veloci-, stem of vēlox “swift, quick” + raptor ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does velociraptor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• velociraptor vs. raptor

Explanation

A velociraptor was a small dinosaur that lived more than seventy million years ago. You might see a velociraptor skeleton at a natural history museum. Scientists who study dinosaurs, known as paleontologists, believe that velociraptors had feathers and small, birdlike bones. Velociraptors had a surge in popularity after they were featured in the 1990's series of "Jurassic Park" movies, although they weren't quite accurately portrayed. Most velociraptor fossils have been found in Mongolia. The word velociraptor combines the Latin velox, "swift," and raptor, "robber or plunderer."

Example Sentences

Yinan Wang, a geologist who collects minerals and fossils, liked the park’s velociraptor for his backyard in Arlington, Va.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

“The only dinosaurs that walked on two toes were ‘raptors’ like velociraptor and their close relatives.”

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2024

“When opening the door, detectives could clearly see the velociraptor was sitting right inside,” Benson said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 17, 2023

The velociraptor will have learned to open the door.

From Salon • Sep. 22, 2022

Gene immediately spots me and starts glaring with the watchful eyes of a murderous velociraptor.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell