Plural of Octopus: Easy Guide to the Right Form

Ever wondered whether you should write octopi, octopuses, or even octopodes? You’re not alone. The word “octopus” looks simple, but its plural has sparked debate for years. This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you straight‑forward advice you can use right now.

Common plural forms you’ll see

The most popular choices are octopuses and octopi. Octopuses follows regular English rules – add “‑es” to make it plural. It’s the form most dictionaries and style guides recommend for everyday writing.

Octopi comes from Latin, treating “octopus” as a second‑declension noun. Some people like the Latin flair, but the word itself is Greek, not Latin, so the Latin ending is technically inaccurate.

A third, less‑known option is octopodes. This one respects the word’s Greek roots, using the Greek plural ending “‑odes”. You’ll mostly see it in scientific papers or among language enthusiasts.

Which one should you use?

If you’re writing an email, a blog post, or a social media update, stick with octopuses. It’s the safest choice and won’t raise eyebrows. Edit‑ors at major publications regularly prefer this form because it matches standard English rules.

Use octopi only if you’re deliberately adding a classical touch or quoting a source that already uses it. Just remember that some readers might see it as a mistake, even though it’s widely recognized.

Save octopodes for academic contexts, marine‑biology articles, or any situation where you want to emphasize the word’s Greek origin. Most casual readers won’t recognize it, so it can feel out of place in everyday text.

Here’s a quick cheat‑sheet:

• Octopuses – best for general use.
• Octopi – okay for informal, stylistic flair.
• Octopodes – keep for scholarly or technical writing.

Now that you know the options, try them out. Write a sentence with each form and see which feels most natural for your audience. For example:

We saw three octopuses hiding in the reef.

The documentary mentioned several octopi performing tricks.

Researchers identified twelve octopodes in the new study.

Notice how the first sentence flows easily for most readers. The second adds a quirky vibe, while the third feels academic.

Remember, the goal of language is clear communication. Choose the plural that makes your meaning obvious and fits the tone of your piece. When in doubt, go with octopuses – it’s the universally accepted choice.

Got more grammar questions? Check out other posts on our site for quick tips on everyday English quirks. From bathroom decor to storage hacks, we cover a lot of ground, and we love helping you get the details right.