Possum or Opossum: Which Spelling Is Correct?

Possum or opossum refers to two different animals, although the words are often used interchangeably.

Opossum is the correct name for the marsupial native to North and South America, while possum usually refers to a different marsupial found in Australia, New Zealand, and nearby regions.

The confusion happens because early settlers shortened opossum to possum, and both names became common in different places. In this guide, you will learn the difference between possum and opossum, their origins, regional spelling and usage, common mistakes, examples, and which word is correct for your audience.

Quick Answer

The short answer is simple:

Opossum is the correct name for the animal found in North and South America.
Possum is the correct name for a different marsupial found mainly in Australia and New Zealand.

Examples

The opossum climbed into the backyard looking for food. ✅
A possum was sleeping in the eucalyptus tree. ✅
We spotted an opossum during our camping trip in Texas. ✅
The Australian possum is active at night. ✅

Although many Americans casually say “possum,” the animal’s official name is opossum.

The Origin of Possum or Opossum

The word opossum comes from the Powhatan Native American language. Early English settlers recorded the word as opassum, meaning “white animal” or “white dog.” Over time, the spelling became opossum.

Later, people began dropping the first “o” in everyday speech, creating the shorter word possum. The nickname became so common in the United States that many people still use it today when talking about the American opossum.

Meanwhile, when British settlers reached Australia, they noticed native marsupials that looked similar to the American opossum. They began calling these animals possums, and the name became official for those species.

Today, the two words refer to different animals, although everyday conversation sometimes mixes them.

British English vs American English Spelling

The spelling difference is mostly about the animal, not British and American spelling rules.

American English	British English	Meaning
Opossum	Opossum	American marsupial
Possum (common nickname)	Possum	Australian marsupial

Examples

American Usage	British/Commonwealth Usage
I saw an opossum in my yard.	We saw a possum in the garden.
The opossum is native to North America.	Possums live across Australia.

Unlike words such as color and colour, opossum and possum are not simply British and American spelling variations. They usually describe different animals.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Use the correct word based on your audience and the animal you are describing.

Audience	Best Choice
United States	Opossum (official), Possum (informal nickname)
Canada	Opossum
United Kingdom	Possum for Australian animals
Australia	Possum
New Zealand	Possum
Global readers	Use the correct animal name for clarity

If your article is scientific or educational, always use the official animal name.

Common Mistakes with Possum or Opossum

Many writers confuse these two words because they sound similar.

Incorrect	Correct
Australia has many opossums.	Australia has many possums.
An American possum is officially called a possum.	An American opossum is officially called an opossum.
Possum and opossum are always the same animal.	They usually refer to different animals.

Tips

Remember that opossum belongs to the Americas.
Remember that possum belongs mainly to Australia and New Zealand.
In informal American speech, people often shorten opossum to possum.

Possum or Opossum in Everyday Examples

Email

“The wildlife officer safely removed an opossum from the property.”

News

“Local volunteers rescued an injured possum after the storm.”

Social Media

“I finally spotted an opossum in my backyard!”

Formal Writing

“The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America.”

Educational Writing

“Australian possums spend much of their lives in trees.”

Possum or Opossum – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search interest shows clear regional differences.

Opossum is searched more often in the United States.
Possum is much more popular in Australia and New Zealand.
American users frequently search possum vs opossum because they hear both names.
Wildlife, pets, and nature articles often include both terms to answer search intent.
Educational websites usually use opossum for the American species and possum for Australian species.

Possum or Opossum Comparison Table

Feature	Opossum	Possum
Official animal	American marsupial	Australian marsupial
Main location	North and South America	Australia and New Zealand
Formal spelling	Opossum	Possum
Informal US nickname	Possum	Not applicable
Scientific writing	Opossum	Possum
Everyday speech	Opossum or Possum	Possum

FAQS

Is possum the same as opossum?

No. They are different animals, although Americans often use possum as a nickname for opossum.

Why do Americans say possum?

Because the first letter was dropped in everyday speech over many years.

Which spelling is scientifically correct?

Use opossum for the American animal and possum for the Australian animal.

Does Britain use opossum?

Yes, but mainly when discussing the American species. British English uses possum for Australian animals.

Which spelling should I use in school writing?

Use the official name of the animal you are describing.

Are possums and opossums related?

Yes. They are both marsupials but belong to different biological families.

Which spelling is better for SEO?

Use the spelling that matches your topic. If your content compares both animals, include both naturally throughout the article.

Conclusion

The correct spelling depends on the animal you mean.

Opossum is the official name for the marsupial native to North and South America, while possum refers to the Australian and New Zealand marsupials, although Americans often use it as a nickname for opossum.

The easiest way to remember the rule is to connect opossum with America and possum with Australia.

Using the correct word makes your writing more accurate and easier to understand.

For another helpful language guide, read our article on Carmel or Caramel to avoid another common word confusion.