marmoset

noun

mar·​mo·​set ˈmär-mə-ˌset 

-ˌzet

: any of numerous small soft-furred South and Central American monkeys (family Callithricidae) with claws instead of nails on all the digits except the big toe

Illustration of marmoset

Examples of marmoset in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Guests can purchase day passes to swim with dolphins, feed stingrays, and interact with otters and marmosets. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 23 July 2025

The stipulation ended about two and a half years ago, Fisher said, and the zoo now has about 35 monkeys, ranging from larger white-handed gibbons to pygmy marmosets, one of the smallest monkey species. —Lillian Ashworth, Oc Register, 18 July 2025

While hoatzins are a particular highlight, the region also plays host to eye-catching species like the scarlet macaw and spangled cotinga, while resident mammals range from the pygmy marmoset to the giant river otter. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

In Spanish, the pygmy marmoset is called leoncillo, or little lion. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English marmusette kind of monkey, from Middle French marmoset grotesque figure, from marmouser to mumble, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for marmoset

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

marmoset

noun

mar·​mo·​set ˈmär-mə-ˌset 

-mə-ˌzet

: any of numerous South and Central American monkeys that have soft fur, a bushy tail, and claws instead of nails except on the big toe